Premier League star names one away stadium that delivers ‘special’ atmosphere

Elland Road is the only Premier League stadium to match the Stadium of Light’s electric atmosphere this season.

That is the view of Sunderland‘s Luke O’Nien, who was left impressed by Leeds‘ vocal home support in his side’s 1-0 victory on Tuesday night.

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Making his first-ever top-flight start, O’Nien enjoyed a memorable evening as Habib Diarra’s 70th minute penalty secured the Black Cats a battling victory on the road.

After leading the team out as captain, the 31-year-old kept a clean sheet and was later named player of the match for his performance.

It marked the latest high in O’Nien’s incredible career, which has seen him climb from non league to the Premier League.

After loan spells with Wealdstone in the sixth and seventh tiers, the defender impressed at Wycombe, earning him a move to Sunderland in 2018, who were then in League One.

O’Nien has since established himself as a hero on Wearside, playing a key role in two promotions to take the club back to the top.

Elite Elland Road

Tipped to struggle at the start of the season, Sunderland have impressed in their first Premier League campaign since 2017, currently sitting 11th and in the mix for European football.

Their electric home atmospheres at the Stadium of Light have also earned praise, something O’Nien was quick to stress on talkSPORT.

Joining Friday’s Breakfast Show, the Black Cats star insisted the vocal support has been a constant during his time at the club, and claimed few Premier League grounds manage to live up to this.

That is, apart from Elland Road, with O’Nien hailing the Leeds atmosphere for the midweek clash as ‘special’.

Discussing Sunderland’s following this season, he said: “It’s packed out [the Stadium of Light], even every away end. 

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“The Leeds atmosphere the other day was special because, I think that the Premier League’s been incredible, but the atmosphere hasn’t quite matched the level, I’d like to say. 

“When you go to a place like Leeds – the game, what it is, it’s special. And our fans have been like that since League One.”

With the 49,000-capacity Stadium of Light filled to the brim each week in the top-flight, O’Nien reminded listeners that Sunderland fans also turned out in their numbers throughout the divisions.

He continued: “We had 35,000 fans in League One and we’re a sell-out in the Premier League.

“So it’s special that the fans have always believed in us. They’ve kept supporting us and I think we’re returning that. 

“We still have a lot to do, but I think we’re returning that, them just staying with us, now with some good performances this season.”

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What next for Sunderland?

It’s fair to say Sunderland have surprised many with their strong showings in the Premier League this term.

With newly-promoted sides routinely struggling to establish themselves in the top-flight, the Black Cats have avoided a relegation battle, and hit the magic 40-point mark with victory at Leeds.

And Regis Le Bris’ side may have even more to celebrate at the end of the season, with European football still a genuine possiblity.

With seventh-place believed to be the cut-off point for Conference League qualification, Sunderland are currently just four points behind Brentford, who occupy the position.

Not since 1973 have the Wearsiders qualified for Europe, which came after FA Cup glory in the previous season – their last major trophy.

And Sunderland may also have one eye on rewriting history here, as they take on Port Vale in their next match, the fifth round of the competition on Sunday.