Sunderland score two late goals to beat Brentford

Wilson Isidor headed a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Sunderland scored twice late on to claim a Premier League victory over Brentford at the Stadium of Light.

The result moves Sunderland, competing in their first top-flight campaign since 2016-17, up to sixth in the table after their second win in the first three games.

It is only the second time the Black Cats have won their first two home games in the Premier League, with the other occasion being in 2001-02 under Peter Reid.

Unlike last season, when it took until 19 October for a promoted side to win their second game, it will also boost optimism on Wearside that Sunderland can avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

With Leeds drawing against Newcastle on Saturday evening it is the best start promoted sides have made to a Premier League season since 2016-17, and they already have 11 more points between them at this stage than last year's trio and 13 more than the three teams that came up for 2023-24.

Igor Thiago's textbook header had threatened to give Keith Andrews' Brentford all three points after Kevin Schade had a penalty saved by home goalkeeper Robin Roefs just before the hour mark.

But Enzo le Fee levelled things up with a penalty and the home supporters were left in raptures as French forward Isidor nodded in Granit Xhaka's cross from the left to complete a remarkable turnaround.

It proved to be a disappointing conclusion to the contest for Brentford, who will travel back to London rueing their inability to close out the match.

Even during a conservative first-half performance they had a Dango Ouattara effort ruled out for offside and appeared the more likely to score.

In the second half Schade's failure from the spot after Reinildo Mandava had wrestled Nathan Collins to the ground appeared as though it may become inconsequential when Thiago superbly converted Frank Onyeka's cross.

But the hosts were given a route back into the game from a similar decision, with Brentford substitute Rico Henry deemed to have pulled Habib Diarra to the ground to allow former Roma midfielder Le Fee to roll in from the spot.

Instead of settling for a point Regis le Bris' side pressed forward and a day after announcing the birth of his daughter, Isidor was able to celebrate again.

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Sunderland analysis: Hosts get reward for perseverance

Le Bris will be delighted by the heart and perseverance his side showed in the closing stages of their win over Brentford.

His revamped Sunderland side enjoyed the better of the early stages with Nordi Mukiele driving a rising effort over the bar on his Premier League debut.

But despite exhibiting plenty of enterprise, that rarely translated to opportunities in front of goal.

Until Le Fee's 82nd-minute penalty the hosts had managed just one shot on target, with their final ball and finishing lacking the quality and conviction to trouble Brentford.

Yet that was enough to provide the crowd with the fuel to spur their team on to a second home win of the season and deliver a valuable return of six points, with Isidor becoming the second player to score in both of his first two Premier League home appearances for Sunderland, after Steven Fletcher in September 2012.

Brentford analysis: Visitors pay for their profligacy

While Jordan Henderson and Mikkel Damsgaard both showed glimpses of their class Brentford appeared relatively content to keep Sunderland at bay in the first period.

But a more assertive second half could and should have delivered the sort of victory that would have changed the narrative over their start to the season.

With Yoane Wissa still absent as speculation over his future rages, until Brazilian forward Thiago intervened the visitors lacked conviction in the final third, which was underlined by Schade's tame effort from 12 yards out.

There will also likely be a little scrutiny attached to Caoimhin Kelleher's role in the Sunderland winner.

The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper had a couple of shaky moments before he got a hand to Isidor's header but failed to prevent the ball from finding the back of the net.

What's next for these teams?

With the international break coming up, Sunderland's next Premier League fixture will be on Saturday, 13 September (15:00 BST) when they travel to London to face Crystal Palace.

Brentford will host Chelsea on the same day at 20:00.