Sunderland v Chelsea, the moments you may have missed on a historic European day | OneFootball

The Stadium of Light staged a high-stakes finale against Chelsea with Europe on the line, and by the end Sunderland were back on the continental stage for the first time since 1973.

They began 10th on 51 points, one behind Chelsea and Brentford and two off seventh-placed Brighton, so a win plus help elsewhere could still open the door. According to Sunderland Echo, this was Chelsea’s first league visit since 14 December 2016, a 1-0 defeat.

Noise crackled from the outset, a display recalling the Sheffield Wednesday play-off. Robin Roefs saved from Cole Palmer before handball appeals at both ends around 26 minutes were waved away. Trai Hume then struck from Luke O’Nien’s pass.

At half-time Sunderland sat seventh, Hume’s goal aligned with Brentford drawing Liverpool and Brighton trailing 2-1 at Manchester United. Soon after the restart Brian Brobbey was denied by Robert Sanchez as he chased a second.

With the hosts 2-1 up around the hour, Noah Sadiki was visibly frustrated when Roefs held back an early release left, eager for quicker transitions. Wesley Fofana then received a second yellow. Diarra slipped when well placed to make it 3-1, before 10 added minutes tested nerves.

Gary Rowell’s name rang around with four minutes still to play, and at full-time O’Nien celebrated with Lynden Gooch and Dan Neil. Dan Ballard, on crutches, joined as Granit Xhaka and Régis Le Bris addressed supporters. From League One to the Europa League in four years, a day to savour.

Source: Sunderland Echo