Sunderland beat Chelsea for the first time since 2014.
Chemsdine Talbi scored a 93rd-minute winner as Sunderland claimed a stunning 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to, at least temporarily, go second in the Premier League.
Having hammered a woeful Ajax side in the Champions League in midweek, Chelsea appeared set to make a difficult afternoon for Regis Le Bris’ men when Alejandro Garnacho fired in a fourth-minute opener.
However, the Blues were poor thereafter and Wilson Isidor drew Sunderland level in the 22nd minute, with clear-cut chances then few and far between as the visitors frustrated Enzo Maresca’s side.
Sunderland grew in confidence as an often scrappy contest edged towards a conclusion, their fans cheering vociferously every time they won a 50-50 tackle.
And the travelling hordes from Wearside were sent into raptures when Brian Bobbey held the ball up brilliantly for Talbi, who secured Sunderland’s best result since returning to the top with composed finish into the bottom-right corner.
Chelsea fail to build on fast start
Robin Roefs will have felt he could have a lot better as Garnacho opened the scoring, his shot from a tight angle going through the legs of the Dutchman as he was beaten at the near post.
Though Moises Caicedo saw an effort deflected over, Chelsea struggled to create clear-cut chances to double their lead, and they were punished as the long throw paid dividends for Sunderland, Isidor turning to prod 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 on its head.
Roefs denied Garnacho on the half-volley, making a smart save with his legs, and that was the last time the Sunderland goalkeeper was truly troubled.
Talbi sends Sunderland second
Sunderland did an outstanding job of blunting the Chelsea attack, largely reducing the Blues to ambitious long-range efforts.
Yet Sunderland were not content with simply containing Chelsea, and they left Stamford Bridge shellshocked as the route-one approach paid off again.
Brobbey showed tremendous strength to maintain possession after collecting the long ball, with his hold-up play matched by the quality of the finish from Talbi.
Chelsea did not have a response and, five points behind league leaders Arsenal having played a game more, it is another result that will increase the scrutiny on Maresca.
