Date: Saturday, 17 January 2026
Location: Stadium of Light
The Stadium of Light always felt larger than it looked on paper.
Not just in size—atmosphere. Echo. Pressure. The kind of place that didn't forgive slow starts or second guesses.
Jake Wilson stood at the edge of the tunnel with the wind cutting in off the coast, biting at his collar. His coat stayed zipped, boots planted firm on the concrete. Sunderland's crowd had started early—chants rolling in long before warm-ups ended. Noise didn't bother him.
What mattered was what happened after it swallowed you.
Roney Bardghji stood just a few paces ahead, shifting from foot to foot, gloves tucked into his waistband, jaw set. Silva rested today—earned, deserved—and Roney had his chance to stake something louder than a highlight reel.
Jake looked down the tunnel at his team, voices low, bodies bouncing in place, minds already chasing what hadn't happened yet.
