 After Sunderland were promoted to the Premier League, Lumsdon impressed in pre-season matches against Rangers and Sampdoria in the centre of midfield.He made his Premiership debut on the first day of the 1999-2000 season against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.Lumsdon remained part of the first-team squad over the next three seasons, as Sunderland enjoyed consecutive 7th-place finishes.