Chelsea 1–2 Sunderland: Black Cats mount stunning comeback to move second | OneFootball

Sunderland came back from a goal down to beat Chelsea 2–1 and climb up to second in the Premier League table.

Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring for Chelsea before goals from Wilson Isidor and Chemsdine Talbi sealed all three points for the Black Cats.

As it happened

Sunderland had a point to prove as they travelled to the capital on Saturday. The Black Cats had undergone a summer revolution and adapted brilliantly to life in the Premier League.

Despite their strong start, some have questioned the quality of their fixtures, leading a few to discredit the impressive work done both on and off the field this season.

Regis Le Bris and his young squad faced their biggest test yet: a Chelsea side fresh from a 5–1 demolition of Ajax and five consecutive wins.

Enzo Maresca’s men came off a slightly disappointing season last year with high ambition and plenty of attacking talent.

Sunderland started as they left off against Wolves, confident and playing with the freedom rarely seen in a promoted side.

They pressed Chelsea’s box from the outset, with Dan Ballard missing a free header that went straight at Robert Sánchez. Chelsea’s forward explosivity soon told, as Garnacho ran onto a Pedro Neto pass and slotted the ball under keeper Robin Roefs inside the opening five minutes.

Chelsea looked set to dominate, but Sunderland responded as they have so many times this season. The Black Cats defended resolutely and eventually capitalised when Isidor tapped home a wayward Bertrand Traoré shot to level the scores. It was Isidor’s fourth league goal, highlighting just how well the squad has adapted to the top flight.

With the game level, it became a battle of strategy. Chelsea controlled possession but struggled to threaten Roefs. The stalemate persisted until the 93rd minute, when Sunderland’s No.6, Geertruida, launched a long ball to striker Brian Brobbey.

Brobbey held it up expertly, allowing Sunderland’s attackers to surge forward. Substitute Talbi then slotted home past Sánchez, sealing a stunning away victory.

Chelsea’s defending will come under scrutiny for the second goal, but the headlines belong to Le Bris’ side. Sunderland are now second in the table, having overcome the obstacles every newly promoted team faces. How long the Black Cats can maintain this form remains to be seen.

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