adminChris Rigg sums up what Sunderland are doing right with brilliant quote after Nottingham Forest win
Sunderland Continue Strong Premier League Start with Gritty Win Over Nottingham Forest
Sunderland maintained their impressive early-season form in the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The win marked their first away triumph of the campaign, sealed by a first-half header from Omar Alderete.
Despite Nottingham Forest dominating possession for much of the game, Régis Le Bris’s side stood firm under pressure. Midfielder Chris Rigg praised the team’s character and highlighted how the new signings have embraced the club’s culture.
“We’re definitely delighted. The lads deserve a lot of credit for that performance,” said Rigg. “We dug deep and showed great resilience, especially in the last 10 minutes when Forest really came at us. I think the spirit we had last season is still very much alive.
Even with new players coming in, the values in the dressing room haven’t changed. You don’t play for Sunderland if you’re not willing to put in the hard work, and I think we showed that today.”
Rigg also commented on the demands of Premier League football. “It’s the toughest league in the world. The intensity is unreal, and if you look at the running stats, it’s only going up. We’re doing a great job of matching that intensity so far this season.”
The win was especially meaningful for the 18-year-old, as it marked his second Premier League start.
He had faced disappointment earlier in the season when he was substituted in the first half against Aston Villa due to teammate Reinildo’s early red card. However, Rigg is focused on improving his performances while keeping the team’s momentum as his top priority.
“Every young player dreams of playing in the Premier League, so this was a big milestone for me,” Rigg said. “It wasn’t the performance I wanted personally, but I know I’ll improve. Last week was tough, but I didn’t dwell on it.
We managed to get a point with Wilson’s late goal, and I was buzzing for the lads. That’s football – sometimes things don’t go your way, but you move on.”
Earlier this summer, Rigg reaffirmed his commitment to Sunderland by signing a contract extension through 2030. Despite interest from other top-flight clubs, the midfielder said the decision to stay was a straightforward one.
“It was an easy choice for me. All I’ve ever wanted is to play for Sunderland,” he said. “I got a lot of chances last season, and I want to build on that with more opportunities like today.”
Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka—who was named Man of the Match for his standout performance—also reflected on the team’s progress. Speaking to Sky Sports, the veteran midfielder praised the squad’s mentality and work ethic.
“I came here because of the project. They wanted me to bring leadership and experience,” said Xhaka. “I’m trying to set an example every day with professionalism, but the team makes it easy for me.
They run, they fight, and their mindset is incredible. We’re still early in the season, but I’m really happy to be part of this club.”
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