Sunderland’s best player after 10 Premier League games…

Yann M’Vila

France midfielder Yann M’Vila joined Sunderland on a season-long loan deal from Rubin Kazan.

Finally there is a sense of faith, hope and optimism surrounding the Stadium of Light after new Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce guided his players to a sixth successive Tyne-Wear derby day victory and the Black Cats’ first Premier League win of the season on Sunday against arch-rivals Newcastle United. A major catalyst in that groundbreaking 3-0 victory over the Magpies was summer signing Yann M’Vila, arguably the only summer addition to prove worthy so far this season. The 25-year-old, who joined the club from Rubin Kazan back in August on a season-long loan, has scored once and assisted three goals for the struggling top-flight outfit so far this term. But the France international was inspirational in Sunderland’s Sunday success after teeing up defender Billy Jones virtually on the goal line, guiding the hosts to a much needed win as the club aim to preserve their Premier League status for a tenth term running. M’Vila’s last international appearance came back in the 2012 UEFA European Championships; but expect that to change ahead of next summer’s 2016 finals if the Frenchman helps the Black Cats tear their way to safety come May.