Sunderland’s remarkable return to the Premier League finished with the fairytale ending as the Black Cats beat Chelsea to earn Europa League football.
Regis Le Bris side started the day knowing they needed to beat the Blues and results to go their own way to have a chance of qualifying for Europe at all. But a win at the jubilant Stadium of Light and Brighton’s defeat to Manchester United saw them climb up to seventh.
Trai Hume and a Malo Gusto own goal deservedly gave the hosts victory after a dominant display, with Cole Palmer’s strike purely a consolation on a day where the Blues played like they didn’t want to qualify for Europe.
It appeared from the early goings that Calum McFarlane’s side were going to build from their win against Tottenham as Palmer, fresh off his World Cup omission, spurned a great chance in the opening five minutes. From then on, it was one way traffic.
Sunderland kept Chelsea pinned in their own half for the majority of the first half and got their rewards as a long ball from Robin Roefs was flicked on by Luke O’Nien into the path of Trai Hume, whose toepoked volley squeezed past Robert Sanchez at the near post.
There were question marks over the defending for the opener, and that remained for the second. Minutes after Bryan Brobbey wasted a glorious chance, he was involved as his wayward effort deflected off Gusto and nestled into the net to spark wild scenes.
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Sunderland double their lead against Chelsea after a shot from Brian Brobbey takes a deflection off Malo Gusto.
The advertising hoardings came down as Sunderland fans celebrated with the players, but the nerves were restored moments later as Palmer’s low drive ended his 14-game goal drought and half the deficit.
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Cole Palmer scores to put Chelsea back in the match at Sunderland.
If there were any thoughts a comeback was about to be started, that came to an end just after the hour mark as Wesley Fofana was sent off for a second bookable offence to put the icing on a terrible cake for Chelsea.
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Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana was sent off after a second booking against Sunderland.
An emotional rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ followed the full-time whistle as Sunderland secured European qualifcation for the first time since 1974.
Chelsea meanwhile finish the season 10th, their lowest standing since the 2022/23 season where they came 12th.
More to follow…
Story of the match in stats
What’s next?
Already thinking about the 2026/27 Premier League season?
There’s a World Cup to fit in first – follow live blogs of every game on the Sky Sports App – but the key dates are locked in for next term, when Sky Sports will once again show at least 215 live Premier League games.
Here’s your summer diary:
June 11: World Cup starts – day-by-day fixture list
June 14: Scotland’s opener vs Haiti (2am)
June 15: Summer transfer window opens
June 17: England’s opener vs Croatia (9pm)
June 19: Premier League fixtures released (10am)
July 19: World Cup final
August 22-23: Premier League opening weekend
August 27: Champions League league phase draw
September 1: Transfer Deadline Day (window closes at 11pm UK time)
September 8-10: Champions League matchday 1
May 30, 2027: Premier League final day
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
