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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 16h

#SAFC Women have made their best start to a season since promotion back in 2021. Still early days but a piece here on why it has been such a good start to a new era under new ownership They play at Eppleton against Leicester on Sunday (2pm KO) www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/footba...

sunderlandecho.com

Inside Sunderland Women's new era and exciting start to the season

Sunderland Women have made their best start to the season since promotion in 2021

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Something a little bit different during this long international break - a little ep of #onthewhistle ranking my top ten games of the RLB era so far! 🔴 ⚪️ 📹 youtu.be/SdINxGxY58I

youtu.be

Ranking my top ten favourite games of the Régis Le Bris era so far - #onthewhistle

YouTube video by Sunderland Echo - SAFC

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Morning folks - there's a little ep of #onthewhistle just gone live taking a closer look at the start of the season and drawing a few conclusions #SAFC 🔴 ⚪️ 🎥 youtu.be/0PbUaXiLTg0

youtu.be

The clear evidence Sunderland are a team heading in the right direction - #onthewhistle

YouTube video by Sunderland Echo - SAFC

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Morning folks - there's a little ep of #onthewhistle just gone live taking a closer look at the start of the season and drawing a few conclusions #SAFC 🔴 ⚪️ 🎥 youtu.be/0PbUaXiLTg0

youtu.be

The clear evidence Sunderland are a team heading in the right direction - #onthewhistle

YouTube video by Sunderland Echo - SAFC

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

On permanent rotation at the moment - another absolutely gorgeous record from Jake Xerxes Fussell. An artist I keep coming back to time and time again youtu.be/YJcpQ3hhxbM?...

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YouTube video by Jake Xerxes Fussell - Topic

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Granit Xhaka will not link up with the Switzerland squad after admitting he obtained a COVID-19 certificate during the pandemic. Says he made a mistake and is co-operating fully with the Swiss authorities www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/footba...

sunderlandecho.com

Granit Xhaka issues statement on COVID certificate allegations

Granit Xhaka has issued a statement responding to allegations he obtained a false vaccination certificate.

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Understand VAR did check for a penalty when Elliot Anderson appeared to handball shortly before City's fourth goal, but that it was cleared as the action was deemed to be accidental.

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Qs and comments for #onthewhistle tomorrow? 🔴 ⚪️ 📹

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Player ratings... Perfect 10 for Brobbey, absolutely dominant even aside from the goals. Stunning performance. Enzo top drawer and tbh lots of good stuff despite the result #SAFC www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/footba...

sunderlandecho.com

Phil Smith's Sunderland AFC player ratings v Man City with perfect 10 and one 9

Sunderland were back in Premier League action at Man City on Sunday afternoon

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Can't my head round what I've just watched there. Some of the best football I've seen #SAFC play given the opposition. Constantly created huge chances. Just kept letting City get ahead, albeit with some brilliant finishing and play from the visitors in 2nd half

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Wonderful half of football to watch; so frustrating from a #SAFC perspective. Played some terrific stuff, Le Fee and Brobbey outstanding. Really troubled the hosts but two of three goals conceded were completely avoidable. Can't afford that against teams of this calibre

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

A famous night as #SAFC win on their return to Europe. Nerveless pen from Le Fee, who was outstanding after an early error. Goodness me an excellent AZ side made them work for it in the second half and hosts rode their luck, but a huge +3 against a pot 1 side

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Really enjoyable half. #SAFC got away with a big early mistake and AZ caused problems - organised and quick in transition. Thought the hosts got right on top of the game by the end of the half though and Le Fee very unlucky to hit the post. Some good signs as it progressed

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The view from the opposition... AZ Alkmaar have had a big injury boost ahead of the game plus what they're expecting from the SoL tomorrow #SAFC www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/footba...

sunderlandecho.com

AZ Alkmaar handed injury boost as midfielder issues classy SoL message

AZ Alkmaar were training at the Stadium of Light ahead on Tuesday ahead of the first game of the Europa League

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Sunderland remain in talks over a new front-of-shirt sponsor, and are currently pursuing other options after Visit Ghana talks stalled Background and latest in piece below www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/footba...

sunderlandecho.com

Sunderland front-of-shirt sponsorship update as talks continue

A deal for Visit Ghana to become the club’s new primary shirt sponsor has stalled

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Hey folks - sorry it's a little late in the day this time but the Arsenal review ep of #onthewhistle is now live. Hope you enjoy! As always, if you enjoy pls share with a mate - makes a massive difference! 🔴 ⚪️ 🎥 youtu.be/P-aOzk0VVW8

youtu.be

Why frustrating result left me encouraged about the season ahead for Sunderland - #onthewhistle

YouTube video by Sunderland Echo - SAFC

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

youtu.be

Why frustrating result left me encouraged about the season ahead for Sunderland - #onthewhistle

YouTube video by Sunderland Echo - SAFC

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Couple of random thoughts from yday Great crowd got right behind Le Fee after penalty miss and the team generally after Saka's goal. Deserved and sure players really appreciated it. Arsenal's squad building 👏 a midfield three of Bruno, Zubimendi & Merino on the bench absurd

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Qs and comments for #onthewhistle tomorrow? #SAFC 🔴 ⚪️ 📹

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Qs and comments for #onthewhistle tomorrow? #SAFC 🔴 ⚪️ 📹

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Arsenal showed their class at times but that shows how fine the margins are at this level. A stunning strike from Bruno just two minutes after Le Fee's penalty. David Raya was exceptional in that second half imo. Can't begrudge Arsenal the win but #SAFC made a good go of it.

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Solid enough half from #SAFC even if Arsenal have spurned a couple of really good openings. Brobbey's work rate and hold-up play has been superb, though Sunderland haven't been able to create much. Arsenal's defending from set plays excellent. Odegaard a joy to watch at times

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Michael Walker @mwalkerfoot.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Thomas Meunier is 35 today and faces Arsenal with his new club, Sunderland. Birthday interview with a right-back, who is much more than that. Goals, art, politics, Meunier is a serious presence. www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...

nytimes.com

‘I find a bit of myself in Sunderland’: Thomas Meunier on his new life in England, a striking past and Balogun

The Belgium full-back talks surrealism, playing under Tuchel and Emery and alongside Mbappe and Neymar, and what lured him to the north east

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Reposted by Phil Smith

Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Hey folks - just a little note to say there's an extra ep of #onthewhistle up if you have a bit of quiet time this weekend. Reviewing the summer transfer window and my chat with Flo Ghisolfi earlier this week 🔴 ⚪️ 📹 youtu.be/MS2EtaTGyQw

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How I rated Sunderland's transfer window and what I learned from Florent Ghisolfi - #onthewhistle

YouTube video by Sunderland Echo - SAFC

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

youtu.be

How I rated Sunderland's transfer window and what I learned from Florent Ghisolfi - #onthewhistle

YouTube video by Sunderland Echo - SAFC

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Rare to get this level of insight... hope you enjoy reading as much as I did writing. Flo Ghisolfi on a remarkable deadline-day, the Malick Fofana saga and KLD's last-gasp intervention #SAFC www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/footba...

sunderlandecho.com

Florent Ghisolfi tells the incredible inside story of Sunderland's deadline-day drama

Sunderland completed three deals on one of the most dramatic deadline days in recent memory

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Phil Smith @philsmithreporter.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Had another completely magical weekend at End of the Road festival - you don't need me to tell you how good Geese, Pulp, CMAT etc but thought I'd share a few of my other favourite sets! Starting with Ken Pomeroy - incredible voice and some v powerful songs. A new fave youtu.be/fbDVJofSh7Q?...

youtu.be

Ken Pomeroy "Days Getting Darker" (Official Audio)

YouTube video by Ken Pomeroy

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