Sunderland’s brilliant win over Chelsea earned praise from Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer has hailed Granit Xhaka's 'masterclass' of a performance against Chelsea, naming the Sunderland captain in his Premier League team of the week.

Xhaka was an integral part of Sunderland's comeback, with the Black Cats battling back from Alejandro Garnacho's early goal to level through Wilson Isidor and then score a stoppage-time winner through Chemsdine Talbi.

A number of Sunderland players produced strong performances in the game but Xhaka's leadership caught Shearer's eye, with the pundit hailing him as an 'incredible signing' for the club.

"Produced a midfield masterclass," Shearer wrote.

"He was on another level, keeping the ball moving, thwarting several Chelsea attacks and once again showing why he's been an incredible signing for Sunderland."

Shearer's Premier League team of the week was as follows: Guglielmo Vicario (Spurs), Matty Cash (Aston Villa), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle), Micky van de Ven (Spurs), Michael Kayode (Brentford), Granit Xhaka (Sunderland), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United), Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth), Zian Flemming (Burnley). Manager: Keith Andrews

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Shearer: Sunderland have made unbelievable start

Shearer has praised Sunderland for their “unbelievable” start to the Premier League season, suggesting that nobody would have expected the Black Cats to be flying as high as they are after nine matches.

Regis Le Bris’ men claimed their most eye-catching scalp to date with a stoppage time victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, taking their tally to 17 points for the season. Results elsewhere meant that the top flight new boys ended the weekend fourth in the table - only trailing third-placed Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference - having already opened up a 12-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.

And despite his affection for bitter rivals Newcastle United, Shearer has conceded that Sunderland’s performances in recent weeks have made for an unexpectedly impressive turn of events.

Speaking on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football, Shearer reflected on Sunderland’s positive start by admitting: “I mean, if you had said before a ball was kicked [this season], that Sunderland and Bournemouth were going to be in the top three or four [after nine games], then people would have looked at you as if you'd been sniffing drugs or something wouldn’t they? Honestly, they would have. Well done to those two!

"Bournemouth in second and Sunderland in third. Can you imagine if I had come on here before a ball was kicked and said 'I think Sunderland after nine games are going to be third?'. You lot would be thinking, 'What a fool he is.' Well done to them both."

“We talk about recruitment and the money spending from clubs and what have you, and Sunderland have brought a lot of players in. For them to get the balance right as they have done and for some of their performances. Again, we always said about their home form, even their own fans would think, 'We're not really expecting to get the win.' They go there [to Chelsea] in hope, they go there because they support their team.

"But I don't think many of them would have thought they were going to go there and win the game and get the three points in the way they did. They've had a brilliant start. As much as it pains me and hurts me to say it, you have to say it, well done to them.

"As much as it hurts me and pains me to say it about Sunderland, you have to say well done to them. They've had an unbelievable start, brilliant results, some great performances. I know their fans are pretty much enjoying it. Yeah, well done Sunderland you have been superb."

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