Sunderland climb off bottom with narrow win over blunt Chelsea

Sunderland moved off the bottom of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

The result lifted Sunderland into 18th place, while Chelsea remain fifth after failing to find a way past a determined home defence.

Sunderland made the more positive start despite losing key midfielder Granit Xhaka to injury in the early stages. Brian Brobbey had the first clear opportunity in the 15th minute, but pulled his shot wide.

Chelsea almost took the lead 10 minutes later when Morgan Rogers met a cross with a close-range header. His effort, however, narrowly missed the target.

The Black Cats continued to apply pressure and were rewarded with a penalty nine minutes before half-time. Levi Colwill brought down Brobbey inside the area, allowing Enzo Le Fee to send the goalkeeper the wrong way with a composed finish.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso responded at the interval by introducing forward Estevao Willian as his side searched for an equaliser.

The visitors found it difficult to create clear openings after the restart. Their first significant chance came in the 75th minute, when a substitute forced a save from Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs.

Sunderland then had an opportunity to double their advantage two minutes later, but Willian Isidor saw his effort saved by Mike Penders.

Chelsea pushed forward late on, with Cole Palmer testing Roefs with an 85th-minute header. The Sunderland goalkeeper kept it out, before Chelsea missed their best chance to level when substitute Danny Welbeck fired wide from close range.

The defeat leaves Chelsea in fifth place, while Sunderland’s victory moves them out of last place and into 18th.