"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. 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."
"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."
Chemsdine Talbi scored a stoppage-time winner as Sunderland defeated Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Brian Brobbey held up play to set up the late chance. Alejandro Garnacho put Chelsea ahead early with his first goal for the club after a left-sided break. Sunderland equalised through Wilson Isidor following a Nordi Mukiele launch that unsettled Chelsea's defence, demonstrating effective use of long-throw-style attacking methods. Chelsea attempted to work the ball wide and reverse to the far post but struggled to create consistent gaps, while Reinildo Mandava largely nullified Pedro Neto on the flank.
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