Sunderland tipped to win Europa League with only two teams beating 52-year record

Sunderland have been told there is 'no reason' they cannot win this season's Europa League.

The Black Cats made a winning return to Europe on Wednesday as they beat AZ Alkmaar at the Stadium of Light.

3

Enzo Le Fee's second half penalty proved to be the only goal in the club's first European fixture for almost 53 years.

Regis Le Bris' side will face the likes of AC Milan and Anderlecht during the league phase.

It comes just over four years on from their promotion out of League One in 2022.

They join Bournemouth and Crystal Palace as the Premier League's representatives in this season's Europa League.

Meanwhile, Brighton will fly the flag for English football in the Conference League.

Sunderland backed for Europa League glory

Prior to Sunderland's win over AZ, club legend Micky Gray joined Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist on Wednesday's talkSPORT Breakfast show.

Brazil and McCoist had both backed English clubs for glory in Europe this term.

Gray can also see his old side lifting the trophy in Frankfurt come May.

He explained: "I love your optimism saying they can go all the way, these English sides and win the European trophy as well. They’ve got every chance. There’s no reason (they can’t win it).

"Nobody’s going to know too much about the way Sunderland play, apart from what they saw last season. They’ve given themselves a really good chance."

3

Historic return

Sunderland's return to continental competition came 52 years and 313 days after their last European outing.

Prior to facing AZ, the Black Cats had not played in Europe since November 7, 1973.

On that occasion, they were beaten 2-0 away from home by Sporting Lisbon in the second round of the European Cup Winners' Cup.

Only two clubs have ever gone longer between European matches than Sunderland.

Belgium's Union Saint-Gilloise waited 57 years and 336 days, whilst Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles had gone 59 years and 353 days without featuring in a competition proper before last season's Europa League.

3

Sunderland 'bouncing' - Phillips

Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips was present at the Stadium of Light for the match against AZ.

The 53-year-old played in the first match at the ground, a friendly against Ajax in 1997.

Reflecting on the atmosphere in the stadium and around the city, he joined Breakfast on Thursday morning.

Phillips explained: "From the minute they qualified for the Europa League in May, the city has been bouncing.

"Coming off the back of an incredible Premier League season and you think things couldn’t get any better at the Stadium of Light.

"To witness that last night, the pre-match show, the fireworks, seeing the fans, it’s stuff that they dreamt about when that stadium opened.

"We came close back in those days, finished seventh twice, but to see them lining up against Alkmaar last night, it was incredible. The game was end-to-end.

"It could have been a 3-3 or 4-4 with the chances that were created, but they managed to hold on to that 1-0 win and it was a celebration. I’m pretty sure most of the fans are still celebrating right now."

Sunderland face Portuguese Cup winners Torreense away from home in their next league phase fixture on October 15.

Meanwhile, their next home match in the competition comes on November 5 against Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb.