Regis Le Bris lauded Granit Xhaka's influence on Sunderland and believes he is key to their strong start to the Premier League as they prepare to host Everton on Monday.

Sunderland have lost just twice since their promotion and have made their best start to a campaign in the top-flight since 1999-00, when they also had 17 points.

Having beaten Wolves and Chelsea in their last two games, the Black Cats are now looking for three consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since May 2014.

Xhaka, who has played every minute so far and racked up three assists, has been a hugely influential player since signing from Bayer Leverkusen, and his impact has not gone unnoticed by Le Bris.

"To be competitive at that level, you need to own the performance on the pitch," he said.

"For that reason, Granit helps a lot because he can manage elements on the pitch. He is not alone in that, but he leads by example.

"He gives this faith. When you play against Chelsea, you believe that you can win. He shows that, he tells us that in the dressing room and everywhere else.

"You want to believe that it is possible, you want to follow him. He is important for that as well."

Everton, meanwhile, are down in 15th after losing their last two games, including suffering a first defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium last time out to Tottenham.

The Toffees' main concern this term has been in front of goal; only Iliman Ndiaye has scored more than once. Beto has only hit the net once, while Thierno Barry waits for his first goal.

David Moyes is open to changes at the top of the pitch, though, hinting he could alter his system to try and get Everton firing.

"I will look to see if there are other options, and if I think I'm not getting what I want, I'll look to see what else there is," he said.

"Ili [Ndiaye] gives you less of a focal point and changes how you may have to play and build at different times if you do that.

"We've got one or two other people who could possibly come into that debate as well. But we won't bury our head in the sand, we're certainly thinking about it."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sunderland – Wilson Isidor

Wilson Isidor is Sunderland's top scorer in the Premier League this season (four goals in nine games), with no other player netting more than once for the Black Cats.

Only four players have reached five Premier League goals in 10 or fewer appearances for Sunderland – Steven Fletcher (four), Kevin Phillips, Darren Bent (both six) and Asamoah Gyan (10).

Everton – Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish has won more fouls (28) and created more chances from open play (19) than any other player in the Premier League this season.

He has also racked up four assists and created 20 chances, with both of those team highs this season.

MATCH PREDICTION: EVERTON WIN

Everton won their last two Premier League meetings with Sunderland when they last met in 2016-17, but they have not won more consecutively against them since between November 2007 and May 2009 (a run of four).

And having won four consecutive Premier League games at the Stadium of Light between August 2002 and May 2009, Everton won just two of their last eight visits to Sunderland (D4 L2). However, one of these was in their most recent visit in September 2016 (3-0).

Sunderland will not make things easy, though; they have 17 points from nine league games this season, their best record at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1999-00 (also 17). The Black Cats won their 10th game back then, 4-0 at Bradford City.

Le Bris' side have won five of their nine Premier League games so far in 2025-26 (D2 L2), just one fewer than they managed in the entirety of their last top-flight campaign in 2016-17 (W6 D6 L26).

Everton are out to avoid an unwanted run after losing 1-0 to Leeds United in their opening match this season. They last lost consecutive league games against promoted sides in the 2021-22 campaign, losing three in a row against Watford, Brentford and Norwich City.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Sunderland – 32.2%

Draw – 25.4%

Everton – 42.4%