Sunderland climbed to second in the Premier League after Chemsdine Talbi’s stoppage-time winner stunned Chelsea 2–1 at Stamford Bridge, while Newcastle also grabbed a late 2–1 victory over Fulham on Saturday.
Back in the top flight for the first time in eight years, the newly promoted Black Cats are already defying expectations that they would be immediate relegation candidates.
Chelsea looked poised to go second in the table when Alejandro Garnacho scored his first goal for the club just four minutes in. But with Brazilian starlet Estêvão surprisingly left on the bench and Cole Palmer still sidelined through injury, the Blues lacked creativity in the final third.
Sunderland equalised in the 22nd minute when Wilson Isidor bundled home from close range after Chelsea failed to clear a long throw. The visitors then frustrated the Club World Cup champions for much of the second half, even after Estêvão’s introduction on the hour mark.
Deep into stoppage time, Sunderland landed a devastating counterpunch. Brian Brobbey surged forward and set up Talbi, who curled a precise finish into the bottom corner to seal a famous win.
The defeat leaves Chelsea seventh in the table, with any lingering hopes of a title challenge fading fast.
At St. James’ Park, Newcastle claimed a much-needed win thanks to captain Bruno Guimarães’ dramatic 90th-minute strike.
Jacob Murphy capitalised on a defensive mistake from Calvin Bassey to give the Magpies an early lead, but Sasa Lukic headed in an equaliser for Fulham just before the hour mark.
However, Marco Silva’s side slipped to a fourth consecutive defeat after Guimarães swept home the rebound from Bernd Leno’s save on William Osula’s shot, giving Newcastle only their third league win of the campaign.
Eddie Howe’s men climbed to 11th place, now just three points off the top four.
Manchester United can move up to fourth with victory over Brighton later on Saturday. The Red Devils stunned Liverpool last weekend to record back-to-back league wins for the first time under manager Rúben Amorim.
However, Brighton boast an impressive record at Old Trafford, having won on their last three visits and six of their past seven league meetings with United.
Elsewhere, Liverpool will be looking to end a three-match Premier League losing streak when they visit Brentford in the late 1900 GMT kick-off.
Arne Slot’s side returned to form with a 5–1 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday, but their recent domestic slump has left them four points behind leaders Arsenal, who host Crystal Palace on Sunday.
