Chemsdine Talbi late strike edges Sunderland to victory at Chelsea

Chemsdine Talbi struck a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Sunderland stunned Chelsea with a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge.

The 20-year-old Morocco international strode unmarked into the box to sweep home after Brian Brobbey had held the ball up all on his own against two defenders, sparking delirious scenes amongst away supporters in the Shed End.

The game had been a fierce contest, but if Chelsea’s ambitions extend to pushing on from last season’s fourth-place finish then this is the kind of even fight they will need to learn how to edge.

THAT AWAY END.

THAT PERFORMANCE.

WE ARE SUNDERLAND. pic.twitter.com/Bc91O1eOvs

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) October 25, 2025

Sunderland were much their equal for long periods, and there can have been few teams since Enzo Maresca took over that have come here and looked so comfortable on the ball, so ready and able to attack Chelsea.

They fell behind to Alejandro Garnacho before the game had had a chance to settle, a quick breakaway down the left that was finished off by the £40million summer signing to score his first Blues goal.

Maresca had said he is not ready to jump aboard the long throw-in bandwagon, but Sunderland showed they had the hang of the top-flight’s latest attacking trend to equalise through top-scorer Wilson Isidor, finishing off after Nordi Mukiele’s launch had caused chaos inside the box.

Chelsea’s first-half game plan was simple if not necessarily effective – work the ball wide to draw Sunderland over then reverse the play to the far post, though their opponents were sufficiently streetwise not to allow gaps to appear easily.

It was from the only deviation from that blueprint that got Chelsea their goal. Pedro Neto stole possession in midfield and sent the ball