Despite going behind in the fourth minute when Alejandro Garnacho slid home a low finish, the [Black Cats](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland?ref=au) battled their way back as they produced a superb display of defensive resilience and slick counter-attacking.
They equalised midway through the first half when Wilson Isidor scored from, close range after the Chelsea defence failed to deal with Nordi Mukiele’s long throw.
And in the second minute of stoppage time. Sunderland claimed their winner. Brian Brobbey did superbly to hold the ball up in the Chelsea box, and when he rolled in Chemsdine Talbi, his fellow substitute rolled home a superb strike from just outside the box.
What were the main talking points from Stamford Bridge?
**SUNDERLAND’S SHAPE**
What formation were Sunderland playing? For much of the game, it was extremely hard to tell. Clearly, that flummoxed Chelsea.
When Chelsea had the ball, the Black Cats tended to drop into a back five, with Lutsharel Geertruida, making his first Sunderland start, playing alongside Dan Ballard and Nordi Mukiele at centre-half.
When Sunderland had possession, though, they were extremely fluid. At times, Trai Hume would push infield as an extra midfielder, at others, Geertruida would advance 20 yards or so and play in midfield rather than defence. On occasion, it was Ballard striding out of the backline to drive the visitors upfield.
Defensively, there were teething troubles as Sunderland changed opener. The Black Cats were all over the place at the back as Chelsea opened the scoring just four minutes in, with Geertruida caught upfield and Hume leaving a gaping hole behind him that Alejandro Garnacho charged into before sliding a low shot through Robin Roefs’ legs.
When Sunderland had the ball, though, their ability to flood midfield caused Chelsea repeated problems. When the Black Cats counter-attacked, they did so in numbers, something that was clearly part of Regis Le Bris’ tactical masterplan.
And as Sunderland sat back with a packed defence in the second half, so their counter-attacking threat increased. That much was evident in stoppage time as the Black Cats broke upfield to claim their winner. Brobbey did superbly to hold the ball up, but he had two players available to him as he rolled a pass sideways. He picked out Talbi, and the Moroccan did the rest.
**MUKIELE’S LONG THROW MAGIC**
What a weapon Sunderland have in Nordi Mukiele’s long throws. The Frenchman’s deliveries repeatedly troubled Wolves last weekend, with one of his throw-ins leading to Trai Hume hitting the post, and the Frenchman was at it again this afternoon.
The 22nd-minute throw that was launched into the Chelsea box was a remarkable one, arrowed in at a low trajectory, and the home defence were simply unable to deal with it.
Josh Acheampong just about managed to win a defensive header ahead of Dan Ballard, but the centre-half was unable to clear his lines, with the ball dropping to Bertrand Traore.
His shot took a couple of deflections in a crowded 18-yard box, and when the ball dropped to Wilson Isidor, the striker swivelled smartly to fire home his fourth goal of the season.
Sunderland have hardly been devoid of a threat from open play this season, but they are not a side that are going to carve apart opponents at will. As a result, being able to create chances from set-pieces is a major positive for Regis Le Bris and his players.
**SUNDERLAND PACK A PUNCH**
Aggression was key to the way Sunderland wanted to play against Chelsea. Not recklessly, but to the point where they clearly wanted to unsettle their opponents by flying into challenges and denying Chelsea’s playmakers the opportunity to profit from any transitions.
As was the case in last weekend’s win over Wolves, Sunderland’s physicality was the key to them claiming their standout win of the season so far.
Trai Hume set the tone, flying into challenges whenever they were on offer, but it was noticeable how Sunderland’s more technical players were also extremely willing to mix it with the opposition.
Enzo Le Fee is one of the most naturally-talented players in the Premier League, but the Frenchman also has a spikiness to him that was repeatedly on show this afternoon. Le Fee refused to give Reece James a moment’s peace, to the extent that the England international, who is normally a key part of Chelsea’s attack, was unable to really offer anything breaking down the flank.
**GUIU FALLS SHORT**
When Marc Guiu was misfiring against Huddersfield Town earlier in the season, it was hard to imagine that the next glimpse Sunderland would get of the striker was lining up against him at Stamford Bridge.
Guiu returned to Chelsea when Liam Delap was injured because he was promised a realistic chance of forcing his way into Enzo Maresca’s starting line-up. Having impressed as he scored during Chelsea’s midweek Champions League win over Ajax, this was the 19-year-old’s opportunity to make the most of his first Premier League start.
It didn’t really go to plan. Guiu displayed plenty of effort and energy as he led the Chelsea line, but he was well shackled by the Sunderland defence and consequently never really looked like scoring.
For all the money Chelsea have spent in the last few transfer windows, their side is lacking a proven ‘number nine’. Joao Pedro hasn’t looked particularly comfortable in the role, but this wasn’t a performance that suggests Guiu is the answer either. Perhaps Maresca will have to wait until Delap is fit before he can solve his side’s centre-forward issue.