Sunderland's Best Strikes Against Chelsea
Ahead of Sunderland's Premier League clash with Chelsea, let's take a look at our top five strikes against the Blues at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats have enjoyed some fantastic outings against Sunday's opponents in the past, notably a victory in 2016 which set us up for survival, and the win which set up our current UEFA Europa League campaign on the final day of last season.
We have also marked these occasions with some memorable strikes from players all over the pitch, so let's take a look at our top five strikes in this fixture at the Stadium of Light.
Kevin Phillips
Sunderland 4-1 Chelsea
December 4 1999
Stadium of Light
Premier League
Kevin Phillips scored plenty of goals against Chelsea, however his best strike came in an emphatic win at the Stadium of Light against Chelsea.
The forward allowed the ball to bounce 25 yards from goal, before his firmly-struck volley flew past Ed de Goey in the Blues net to increase their advantage.
Sunderland finished seventh in the Premier League this season, only missing out on qualification for the Intertoto Cup due to goal difference.
Sean Thornton
Sunderland 1-2 Chelsea
April 4 2003
Stadium of Light
Premier League
There were not too many highs to shout about in the 2002-03 season for Sunderland fans, but Sean Thornton's super strike against Sunday's opponents certainly got fans out of their seats at the Stadium of Light.
The Irish midfielder latched onto a Frank Lampard clearance on the edge of the box, controlling on his chest before unleashing a fierce half-volley into the top corner to give the Black Cats the lead.
Thornton would score nine goals for Sunderland, however this was certainly one of his best.
Kieran Richardson
Sunderland 2-4 Chelsea
February 1 2011
Stadium of Light
Premier League
Sunderland's early lead in this game had quickly turned into a deficit when Kieran Richardson set up a free-kick just off the right, 22 yards out.
Despite a short run-up, he completely caught the Chelsea defence, and Petr Cech, unaware with an inventive set-piece which went under the wall and into the bottom corner.
This campaign would see the Lads establish themselves as a mid-table side in the Premier League, capable of giving a serious test to the defending champions at the time.
Wahbi Khazri
Sunderland 3-2 Chelsea
May 7 2016
Stadium of Light
Premier League
The game which gave Sunderland fans hope that Premier League survival was a genuine possibility, the Black Cats scored some sensational goals en route to defeating the Blues in 2016.
The first of those came from Wahbi Khazri, putting an end to some head tennis on the edge of the Chelsea box with a venomous volley which flew past Thibaut Courtois.
The win was the fourth of a six-game unbeaten run at the end of the season which saw us stay up this season, relegating Newcastle United in the process.
Jermain Defoe
Sunderland 3-2 Chelsea
May 7 2016
Stadium of Light
Premier League
The winning strike in this game fell to Jermain Defoe though, who racked up 18 Premier League strikes throughout this campaign.
DeAndre Yedlin's cross found the England striker around the penalty spot, with his brilliant touch only matched by his powerful finish into the bottom corner.
Defoe scored eight times against Chelsea in his career, but this was his only goal for Sunderland against them, and what a strike it was.
Trai Hume
Sunderland 2-1 Chelsea
May 24 2026
Stadium of Light
Premier League
Sunderland's fantastic first season back in the Premier League saw them have European football in their sights on the final day of the campaign - if they were able to beat Chelsea at the Stadium of Light.
A 2-1 win was put in motion by Trai Hume, whose inventive volley from just inside the penalty area caught out Robert Sanchez at his near post.
The result saw us qualify for Europe for the first time since 1973, and has already seen us enjoy wonderful nights against AZ Alkmaar and Torreense.
Check out a compilation of all the strikes here!
[
Sun 08 Nov
06:00
Home
Stadium of Light
Sunderland
SUN
1
|
0
CHE
Chelsea](https://www.safc.com/matches/men/2026/g2645294)