Sunderland: Black Cats record best league start since 1998

Sunderland’s 1-1 draw at Millwall means they have now recorded their best start to a league season in the second tier since 1998.

Despite conceding to Femi Azeez’s equaliser deep into stoppage time on Saturday, Regis Le Bris’ side remain top of the Championship table on goal difference.

The last time the Black Cats started so strongly in the second tier they ended up winning the league with 105 points – 18 clear of second-placed Bradford City.

Back then, Sunderland were managed by Peter Reid and able to rely on a formidable strike partnership of Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips, who in total provided 41 goals together in the league that season.

During 1998-99, Sunderland recorded 31 league wins in total and lost only three times.

The following season saw them finish seventh in their first season back in the top flight with Phillips scoring 30 league goals, earning him the European Golden Boot.