Former Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has expressed concern over whether the Black Cats can sustain their impressive Premier League form this season.

Sunderland have collected 17 points from their opening nine fixtures, and victory against Everton today could lift Regis Le Bris’s side to second, just five points behind leaders Arsenal.

In recent seasons, all three promoted clubs have been relegated straight back to the Championship. Alongside Leeds and Burnley, Sunderland are aiming to buck that trend.

The Black Cats have already beaten Southampton's points tally last year, and are nine points away from beating Leicester and Ipswich's too. The Sunderland fans are enjoying their time in the Premier League so far, but it hasn't been easy for the Stadium of Light faithful in recent years.

Sunderland endured back-to-back relegations a few years ago, dropping them to League One where they spent four seasons. Former manager Poyet was asked whether the club needed to drop down divisions to come back stronger.

Sunderland have defied...