David Moyes’ Sunderland prediction in 2017 finally came true, it just took much longer than expected

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Sunderland are making the most of their return to the Premier League, and they’ve finally done what David Moyes hoped for over eight years ago.

This season, we are seeing Sunderland take the Premier League by storm. The newly-promoted outfit have five wins from nine games and are currently sitting in the top four.

Despite pre-season predictions claiming Sunderland would be relegated, the Black Cats are now looking far more likely to land in the top ten than the bottom three.

Their next test will be a home tie against Everton and former manager David Moyes on Monday night. While Moyes will obviously want all three points, he must be at least a little bit happy to see his ex-club back where they belong, years after he got them relegated.

• READ MORE: Regis Le Bris to be backed in January as Sunderland have one key position ‘on their radar’

What David Moyes said about Sunderland in 2017

Speaking on the final day of the 2016/17 season after his Sunderland side suffered a 5-1 hammering at the hands of league champions Chelsea, Moyes appeared to be in positive spirits about what the future held for the Mackems.

When asked what was next, Moyes said: “It’s a Sunderland rebuild. We said it was when I came in, everyone said Sunderland needed rebuilding. They’ve been close to this position for four or five years and this time we’ve gone over the cliff.”

Moyes was then asked how that rebuild and recovery would be facilitated and what the process would be. He replied: “Obviously money is one thing and that’s the easy solution. But we have to look at what’s best-suited for Sunderland and see where we go next.

“You’ve got to try and do it quickly, is the best way, if you can. There are other clubs in the Championship who did it another way in taking the time to rebuild, though.”

In the end, there was no quick return for Sunderland. Instead, the Black Cats suffered relegation once more the following season after finishing rock bottom in the second tier. The rebuild took many, many years, plus a change of ownership, but Sunderland are finally back in the top flight and making up for lost time.

• READ MORE: David Moyes shares what really surprised him about Everton return last season

Sunderland sank even lower before rising to the top

Sunderland dropped down to League One for four seasons before earning promotion back to the Championship via the play-offs.

While in the Championship, Sunderland developed a transfer strategy of finding high-potential, very young players who could match the passion and energy of the fanbase. With the likes of Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg, and Jack Clarke, plus foreign talent like Wilson Isidor and manager Regis Le Bris, the Black Cats quickly but quietly became a force to be reckoned with.

Their surprise ascension last season was largely built on team spirit as well as talent. It’s been the same this season so far, with togetherness the key word at Sunderland.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	ArsenalArsenal	9	7	1	1	16	3	13	22
2	BournemouthBournemouth	9	5	3	1	16	11	5	18
3	TottenhamTottenham	9	5	2	2	17	7	10	17
4	SunderlandSunderland	9	5	2	2	11	7	4	17
5	Manchester CityManchester City	9	5	1	3	17	7	10	16
6	Manchester UnitedManchester United	9	5	1	3	15	14	1	16

Sunderland have proven they can match the big teams in the Premier League so far, and if they can maintain their current levels, that long absence away from English football’s top table will have all been worth it.

Now, Le Bris just needs to find a way to defeat Moyes and make it an unhappy reunion for the Scotsman.