Chelsea’s hopes of maintaining their winning momentum were shattered after a late Sunderland strike handed them a shocking 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge. Head coach Enzo Maresca was left fuming at his side’s inconsistency, admitting they were “not good enough” to deserve the points.
The Blues started brightly, taking the lead just four minutes into the match through Alejandro Garnacho. The winger collected Pedro Neto’s clever pass, skipped past Nordi Mukiele, and slotted the ball through goalkeeper Robin Roefs’ legs to give Chelsea an early advantage.
However, Sunderland refused to be intimidated. Mukiele made up for his earlier error with a long throw that created panic in Chelsea’s penalty area. Wilson Isidor reacted quickest to stab home the equaliser, setting the stage for a tense second half.
Despite dominating possession, Chelsea lacked creativity and urgency in the final third. They spent much of the game passing the ball across the pitch, searching for gaps that Sunderland’s compact defence refused to offer. The predictable build-up frustrated the home fans and exposed Chelsea’s ongoing struggles to break down well-organized teams.
Maresca acknowledged that his side failed to reach the intensity required to win. “We didn’t create enough and we struggled in key moments,” he said after the game. “We lost duels, we lost second balls, and in this league, that costs you. When you’re not able to win, you must make sure you don’t lose.”
The late drama arrived deep into stoppage time when substitute Chemsdine Talbi produced a stunning finish to seal a memorable victory for Sunderland. The Moroccan midfielder’s goal capped off a remarkable result for the newly promoted side, who have now won five of their opening nine matches.
Maresca admitted that the loss highlights a worrying trend for Chelsea, who just weeks ago had beaten champions Liverpool in dramatic fashion. “If we want to compete at the top, we need consistency,” he said. “Winning four in a row and then losing like this shows we still have a lot of work to do.”
Meanwhile, Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris praised his team’s togetherness and fighting spirit. “It was about collective effort,” he said. “Everyone, from the starters to the finishers, contributed. We’re still learning, but when there’s a chance to win, we have to take it.”
The result lifted Sunderland into second place, marking their best top-flight start in 17 years, while Chelsea were left to reflect on a missed opportunity to build on their recent progress.
