Chelsea beaten by strugglers Sunderland

Chelsea were beaten at Sunderland as Enzo Le Fée’s first-half penalty gave the Black Cats their first win since August.

Le Fée scored from the spot in the 36th minute after Levi Colwill hauled down Brian Brobbey in the box. Colwill was booked once VAR had confirmed the decision, and he was replaced by Estevao at half-time.

Chelsea’s best chance came in stoppage time, when substitute Danny Welbeck, a former Sunderland loanee, dived to meet a deep cross from Estevao but headed over.

Morgan Rogers had also headed well wide from Marco Palestra’s cross after 25 minutes, and the Blues were denied a penalty shortly beforehand when Cole Palmer was sandwiched by Jules Ahoka and Luke O’Nien on the edge of the box. VAR ruled the contact was outside the area and no foul was given.

Boss Xabi Alonso made two changes, recalling Jordan Henderson and bringing in Pep Chavarria for Josh Acheampong, while Mike Penders kept his place in goal with Emiliano Martinez still out.

Sunderland, who lost captain Granit Xhaka to injury after four minutes, should have been ahead earlier. Brobbey side-footed wide from close range after 15 minutes and later blazed over after getting past Wesley Fofana.

Moises Caicedo moved into the back four after the break, but Chelsea struggled to create anything and Penders had to deny Le Fée after a mix-up between Fofana and Caicedo with 13 minutes left.

Substitute Geovany Quenda saw a deflected shot bobble just past the far post and Palmer headed a Malo Gusto cross straight at Robin Roefs, while Chemsdine Talbi bent an effort narrowly wide for Sunderland.