In a thrilling Premier League encounter on October 25, 2025, newly-promoted Sunderland pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Early shock
Chelsea looked to be cruising early when Alejandro Garnacho fired in his first goal for the club in the 4th minute, drilling past Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs.
However, the visitors hit back in the 22nd minute. A long throw caused chaos in the Chelsea box and Wilson Isidor bundled home the equaliser.
Resilience pays off
After the break, Sunderland dug deep. Despite Chelsea dominating possession, the visiting team frustrated their hosts with disciplined defending and a compact shape. The London side failed to convert their control into a decisive goal.
Late drama
Just when a draw seemed set, Sunderland substituted on Chemsdine Talbi, who in the 93rd minute curled in a low-shot winner after a clever build from Brian Brobbey. The goal stunned Stamford Bridge and sealed the three points for Sunderland.
Significance
For Sunderland, the win marked a landmark moment: their best start by a
For Chelsea, it was a bitter blow—having taken the lead they were unable to impose themselves and dropped valuable home points. Manager Enzo Maresca admitted his side “were not good enough”.
Final thought
This result highlights the unpredictable nature of the Premier League—Sunderland’s resilience and tactical organisation paid off against a bigger club. Chelsea’s worrying drop in concentration and over-reliance on early dominance were exposed. If Sunderland keep up this level, they could brake the often-seen narrative of newly-promoted teams fighting relegation.
