Talbi Scores Late Winner as Sunderland Stun Chelsea

• Chemsdine Talbi scores dramatic late winner as Sunderland move into second place in Premier League
• Alejandro Garnacho opens his Chelsea account
• Wilson Isidor equalises with fourth goal of season
• Player rater

Sunderland moved into second place in the Premier League as winger Chemsdine Talbi scored a 94th-minute winner to stun Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Regis le Bris’ side were on the brink of earning a valuable point in west London, but snatched all three when Talbi converted from the edge of the box after a quick counter-attack.

The victory – Sunderland’s second on the road this season – was all the more remarkable given Chelsea had taken an early lead when Alejandro Garnacho scored his first goal for the club with a fine solo effort.

Sunderland levelled through Wilson Isidor, who netted from close range for his fourth goal of the season following Chelsea’s failure to clear their lines from a long throw.

The Black Cats were less adventurous in the second half, seemingly content to settle for a point against the Club World Cup champions.

But the home side struggled to create clear-cut chances and over-committed numbers in the search of a winner.

Sunderland expertly exploited the space left in Chelsea’s half as substitute Brian Brobbery latched on to a long ball, held up possession and laid off for Talbi to score a famous winner.

The win means the Black Cats move into second place, two points behind leaders Arsenal having played a game more than the Gunners.

Chelsea, who would have gone second with a victory of their own, slip to seventh behind London rivals Tottenham.

Chelsea analysis: Lacklustre Blues lack cutting edge

After scoring within five minutes through Garnacho, the home support at Stamford Bridge may have been expecting a repeat of Wednesday night’s five-goal display against Ajax.

Marc Guiu was the only survivor in the front four from the win against the Dutch giants, with Garnacho, Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto starting in support.

But Garnacho’s solo opener was as good as it got for the Blues, who struggled for creativity despite their apparent wealth of flair in attack.

Back-to-back wins against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest had put Enzo Maresca’s side within three points of second place, but the Argentine’s side did not play like a team with an opportunity to close the gap on leaders Arsenal.

Their lack of threat was summed up by the fact it was Garnacho who was hooked in the 58th minute.

Brazilian Estevao was tasked with injecting some potency to Chelsea’s attack but the teenager’s introduction did little to lift the side.

Liam Delap, who has missed the last two months through injury but returned to training this week, watched from the sidelines as Reece James and Marc Cucurella put enticing crosses into the box.

Without the England Under-21 international, Chelsea lack a goal poacher – particularly when Joao Pedro plays in a more withdrawn role.

The Blues visit bottom-placed Wolves (19:45 GMT) in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, before taking on Spurs in the Premier League next Saturday (17:30 GMT)Media caption,

Chelsea performance ‘not good enough’ – Maresca

Sunderland analysis: Ambitious Black Cats get their reward

While Sunderland have made a brilliant start to life back in the Premier League, the Black Cats have – naturally – found life on the road more difficult than at home.

Before today, they had collected four points from four away matches – half of the eight points they had earned at home.

Given that, it would have been easy for Sunderland to settle for a point away at a side like Chelsea.

But, with the clock ticking down, Sunderland reaped the rewards of their ambition to stun the home side.

As Chelsea piled forward in search of a winner, Lutsharel Geertruida won possession and pinged a wonderful ball over Chelsea’s defence for substitute Brobbery to run on to.

The Dutchman had little in the way of support but he retained possession, spun and laid off an enticing ball for Talbi to place his shot for the winner.

What would have pleased Le Bris the most – beyond the joy of scoring the winner – is the composure his side showed deep into injury time, with no sign of the visitors simply clearing their lines or settling for a point.

While being two points behind leaders Arsenal will understandably grab the headlines, Le Bris will know this is another valuable three points on the way to reaching the all-important 40-point mark that should secure another season in the top flight.Media caption,

Sunderland manager Le Bris reacts to victory against Chelsea

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Source: BBC