Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has been nothing short of spectacular, with the Black Cats heading into the Christmas break in the sixth position.
Their latest point came in a 0-0 draw at Brighton, a result built on a foundation of defensive excellence.
Central to this success has been Dan Ballard, whose performance on Saturday was recognized today with a nomination for the Premier League Player of the Matchweek.
Ballard was a giant at the back, helping Sunderland secure back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season.
His ability to read the game and his dominance in the air have made the Sunderland defense one of the toughest to break down in the division.
