Matchday Musings: Sunderland Return To Winning Ways Against Chelsea
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Mike Penders of Chelsea fails to save a penalty from Enzo Le Fee of Sunderland as he scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Sunderland and Chelsea FC at Stadium of Light on November 08, 2026 in Sunderland, England.
Key points
- Sunderland kept Chelsea at bay and Robin Roefs had very little to do in the second half, other than take a few goal kicks.
- As per, Le Fée was on hand to slot the penalty into the bottom left corner, sending Mike Penders the wrong way and giving Sunderland the lead for just the second time in the Premier League this season.
- Estevao looked lively and the player most likely to create something for Chelsea; his pace and dribbling making life difficult for Reinildo, but the Mozambique man dealt with it well and came out on top of the duel more often than not throughout the second half.
It felt that way inside the stadium before the game, and it felt like it at full time as Sunderland ran out 1-0 winners against Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea thanks to Enzo Le Fée’s first half penalty.
Additional details
- For Sunderland, Wilson Isidor replaced a tiring Brobbey and spent most of his time on the pitch chasing down defenders, while Chris Rigg and Nilson Angulo replaced Talbi and Le Fée, also spending most of their time on the pitch helping the Lads shut up shop and see out the game.
- Chelsea, whilst having a lot of possession, never really looked like scoring and struggled to get past a stubborn home defence and create anything clear-cut.
- By the end of the game Chelsea had just one proper defender on the pitch, but this didn’t make a difference as the Black Cats held out for the win.
- There was a scare early on in the first half as a Chelsea appeal for a penalty was checked for what felt like an eternity by VAR.
- Half time came and for the first time this season, Sunderland went in with a lead to protect.
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