Sunderland beat Chelsea for the first time since 2014.
Chemsdine Talbi scored a 93rd-minute winner as Sunderland secured a stunning 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to, at least temporarily, go second in the Premier League.
Chelsea looked set to create a difficult afternoon for Régis Le Bris’ men. Alejandro Garnacho shot in the opener in the fourth minute.
However, the Blues were poor thereafter and Wilson Isidor equalized Sunderland in the 22nd minute, with clear chances then few and far between as the visitors frustrated Enzo Maresca’s side.
Sunderland grew in confidence as an often disjointed contest drew to a conclusion, their fans cheering loudly every time they won a 50-50 tackle.
And the Wearside traveling hordes were delighted when Brian Bobbey held the ball brilliantly for Talbi, who secured Sunderland’s best result since returning to the top with a composed finish into the bottom right corner.
Chelsea fail to build on fast start
Robin Roefs will have felt he could do much better as Garnacho opened the scoring, his shot from a tight angle going through the Dutchman’s legs as he was beaten at the near post.
Although Moises Caicedo saw an effort deflected, Chelsea struggled to create clear chances to double their lead, and they were punished as the long throw bore fruit for Sunderland, with Isidor turning home after Bertrand Traore’s initial effort was blocked.
Isidor then fired into the side netting at the end of a neat Sunderland move as the Black Cats threatened to turn the game around.
Roefs denied Garnacho on the half-volley, making a smart save with his legs, and that was the last time the Sunderland keeper was truly troubled.
Talbi sends Sunderland second
Sunderland did a remarkable job of blunting Chelsea’s attack, largely reducing the Blues to ambitious long-range efforts.
Yet Sunderland were not content to simply contain Chelsea, and they left Stamford Bridge shell-shocked as the lane-first approach once again paid off.
Brobbey showed extraordinary strength in retaining possession after winning the long ball, with his hold-up play matched by the quality of Talbi’s finishing.
Chelsea had no answer and, five points behind league leaders Arsenal having played a game more, it’s another result that will increase scrutiny on Maresca.
