Sunderland clinch Europe as Chelsea trip brings raucous Stadium of Light moments | OneFootball

Sunderland sealed a first European campaign since 1973 on a febrile final day against Chelsea, a match rich in small turning points.

According to Sunderland Echo, the occasion doubled as an unlikely European decider. Sunderland began 10th on 51 points, within reach of seventh if results fell kindly. Chelsea’s first league trip to Wearside since 2016 met an electric display, cat eyes recalling the Sheffield Wednesday play-off.

Robin Roefs saved early from Cole Palmer before Sunderland grew into it. Penalty shouts came and went, then Trai Hume, selected on the right, struck from Luke O’Nien’s cross.

At half-time Sunderland sat seventh, Hume’s goal aligning with Brentford drawing Liverpool and Brighton trailing 2-1 at Manchester United.

After the restart Brian Brobbey was denied by Robert Sanchez. With the hosts 2-1 up around the hour, Noah Sadiki bristled when Roefs delayed a quick release to the left.

Régis Le Bris then turned to his bench, Brobbey for Wilson Isidor and Nilson Angulo for Habib Diarra. Wesley Fofana’s second yellow further tilted the contest, before Diarra slipped and lifted a big chance over.

Ten minutes of added time tested nerves, the crowd roaring every clearance, with Manchester United 3-0 Brighton and Liverpool 1-1 Brentford.

Gary Rowell’s name rang out as Chris Rigg replaced Enzo Le Fée late on. At full-time Luke O’Nien celebrated with Lynden Gooch, Dan Ballard on crutches among the scenes, as Wearside savoured a rise from League One to the Europa League in four years.

Source: Sunderland Echo