Chelsea Falters After a Promising Start

Chelsea, who came into the match riding a four-game winning streak across the Champions League and Premier League, saw their momentum abruptly halted with a 2-1 loss to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge. Under Enzo Maresca, the Blues looked set for another victory when Alejandro Garnacho scored just five minutes in, but the visitors showed grit and stole all three points with a goal in the 93rd minute.

The Argentine winger, who netted his first goal for Chelsea, received a pass from Pedro Neto on the left flank, dribbled past his defender, and fired low between Robin Roefs’ legs. His confident celebration toward the crowd seemed to say, “Here I am,” yet it was the visitors who would ultimately have the final word.

Despite dominating possession, Chelsea lacked sharpness in front of goal. In the 20th minute, Wilson Isidor equalized after a scramble inside the box that caught goalkeeper Robert Sánchez off guard. The attacking duo of Joao Pedro and Marc Guiu, who was making his first Premier League start, struggled to create clear chances, prompting Maresca to send on young sensation Estevao in search of a breakthrough.

Sunderland Stuns the Bridge in Added Time

Just when it seemed both sides would settle for a draw, Sunderland delivered a late knockout punch. With Chelsea pressing high, Brian Brobbey, the former Ajax striker, controlled a long ball, shielded it under pressure from Tosin and Chalobah, and laid it off to Chemsdine Talbi, who calmly slotted it past Robert Sánchez in the 93rd minute.

The goal stunned the 40,000 fans packed into Stamford Bridge and capped off a remarkable performance from Regis Le Bris’ side, who continue to defy expectations in their first season back in the top flight.

The defeat denied Chelsea the chance to climb to second place, leaving them seventh in the standings with 14 points, while Sunderland moved up to second, just two points behind Arsenal, cementing their status as the Premier League’s most surprising contender.