2 Up, 2 Down: Sunderland See Off Chelsea For A Key Victory
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 8: Reinildo Mandava and Luke O'Nien of Sunderland celebrate after winning the Premier League 2026/27 match between Sunderland and Chelsea FC at Stadium of Light on November 8, 2026 in Sunderland, England.
Key points
- Sunderland held on to their first Premier League win since August as Enzo le Fee's penalty help the hosts sink Chelsea at the Stadium of Light.
- I’ve been saying it for weeks: Xhaka has been holding us back because his legs have gone, but lo and behold, an energetic box-to-box midfielder replaces him and we look like the Sunderland of last year!
- Isidor’s was a little harder as Mike Penders was off his line in a flash, but if you’re going to be limited to two or three chances a game up front, you have to bag at least one.
Special mentions also for Thomas Meunier and Reinildo — both elder statesman, but they had the better of the Chelsea wingers they faced throughout I mentioned it above, but this was the Sunderland of last season.
Additional details
- Granit Xhaka’s exit doesn’t harm us It was alarming to see our captain and talisman leave the pitch, because last season we were so very dependent on his leadership and general….
- A shambolic refereeing display I haven’t mentioned the referee in a few weeks but this guy (who was tellingly booed before kick off!) is another level.
- John Wilson says… Sunderland’s intensity returns The word that’s been missing from our performances recently was back.
- Admittedly, Chelsea did have ten shots, but only four on target and we dealt with them well.
- David Elliott says… An impressive Sunderland rearguard action The defence was so solid.
How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →
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