With nine games of the season gone, Sunderland are sitting top of the Championship after an impressive start to the campaign. The Black Cats have claimed six wins so far while they drew for the first time this campaign against Leeds United ahead of the international break.
Sunderland’s start to the campaign has some dreaming of a Premier League return for the Stadium of Light club, who spent a number of years in the top flight before their relegation in 2017. However, there will be little room for complacency given the competitive and uncompressing nature of the Championship, with 37 games still to play. Plenty of resilience is needed to get through 46 games in the English second tier and some Sunderland players have experienced the physical nature of the Championship more than others.
Two Black Cats stars are among the most fouled in the league and, using data from WhoScored, we look at the top 16 most fouled stars in the division so far. Any surprises here?
5. Tom Dele-Bashiru (Watford)
The Hornets man has been fouled 18 times in eight games. | Getty Images
6. Ruben Rodrigues (Oxford United)
The midfielder has appeared in all of Oxford's games this season but played 605 minutes. He has been fouled 18 times. | Getty Images
7. Karamoko Dembele (Queens Park Rangers)
Has also played just over 600 minutes of Championship action and has been fouled 18 times. | Getty Images
8. Jason Knight (Bristol City)
Has played every minute for the Robins this term. Has ben fouled 19 times so far. | Getty Images