Yankuba Minteh scored the only goal as Brighton propelled themselves into the top half of the Premier League with a 1-0 win away at Sunderland.

Minteh netted just his second league goal of the season in the 58th minute as his sliced cross-shot somehow squeezed its way past Melker Ellborg at his near post. 

Brighton's Jack Hinshelwood was denied by a brilliant, pinpoint save by Ellborg inside the opening 10 minutes before Lewis Dunk came to the Seagulls' rescue at the other end to clear Chemsdine Talbi's volley off the line. 

Lutsharel Geertruida then stung the palms of Bart Verbruggen late in the first half and just five minutes after the restart, Sunderland thought they had grabbed the opening goal. 

Chris Rigg picked out the bottom-left corner, but the goal was ruled out for an offside against Omar Alderete, who had headed the ball into the teenager's path following a set-piece. 

And Brighton made the most of that reprieve soon after through Minteh, whose effort found its way into the back of the net from a tight angle, though Habib Diarra felt he was fouled by Dunk in the build-up. 

Alderte saw his header pushed to safety by Verbruggen before Sunderland substitute Dennis Cirkin wildly lashed over in stoppage time as Brighton held on for the win. 

Data Debrief: Sunderland's home struggles continue

After going unbeaten in their first 12 league matches at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland have now lost their last three top-flight matches in front of their home supporters.

Though not helped by injuries to some of their star attackers, the Black Cats failed to fire in the final third yet again. They have now failed to score in 11 of their 30 games; only Wolves (15) and Nottingham Forest (13) have failed to score more often in the Premier League this season.

Sunderland are well clear of the bottom three, but they may be concerned about results since the turn of the year. Only Leeds United (11), Forest (10), Burnley (eight) and Tottenham (four) have won fewer points in the Premier League in 2026 than Le Bris' side (12 – W3 D3 L6). Safety this season is surely secured, though.

Brighton will be content with a clinical away display. They have won back-to-back Premier League away games for the first time since their final two of 2024-25, having accumulated an expected goals (xG) total of 1.57 from their 12 shots to Sunderland's 0.97 from their 14 attempts.