Sunderland defeated Chelsea 2-1 at the Stadium of Light on the final day of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Cole Palmer was presented with an early opportunity to fire the visitors ahead after latching onto Pedro Neto’s through ball, but Robin Roefs produced a fine save to deny him.
At the other end, the hosts soon responded with an opportunity of their own when Enzo Le Fee forced Robert Sanchez into a save with a powerful effort from inside the area, before denying Nilson Angulo from distance.
In the 25th minute, Trai Hume broke the deadlock after a long ball from Roefs was flicked into his path by Luke O’Nien before volleying past Sanchez.
Moments later, Brian Brobbey could’ve doubled the Black Cats’ advantage, but he drilled his effort into the side netting.
Just before the break, Joao Pedro squandered a glorious opportunity to draw Chelsea level after he got onto Malo Gusto’s cross at the back post, only for him to head wide.
Two minutes after the restart, Sunderland came agonisingly close to a second as Brobbey broke through on goal only to be denied by Sanchez’s legs.
In the 50th minute, the hosts doubled their lead when Brobbey’s mishit effort from
Le Fee’s pass deflected in off Gusto for an own goal.
Seven minutes later, Palmer pulled one back for the Blues, drilling an effort from 20 yards beyond Roefs.
In the 62nd minute, Chelsea were reduced to 10 men as Wesley Fofana was shown a second yellow card following his foul on Wilson Isidor.
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Moments later, Habib Diarra could’ve restored the host’s two-goal advantage, but he fired over from close range before Palmer dragged his effort well over the bar at the other end.
In the 87th minute, Reece James almost restored parity for Chelsea, but his long-range effort was comfortably gathered by Roefs.
The result sees Sunderland finish seventh in the Premier League standings and book their spot in next season’s Europa League, while Chelsea miss out on Europe after finishing 10th.