Chelsea suffered their second home defeat in three league games as Sunderland scored late to secure a 2-1 victory.
The Blues took an early lead through Alejandro Garnacho though it was against the run of play. The lead lasted 18 minutes before Wilson Isidor equalised after a long throw.
Chelsea stepped things up after half time but couldn’t really trouble the Sunderland goal. And it was Sunderland who struck late on through Chemsdine Talbi. It was the third goal they’ve scored via substitutes in the Premier League this season, the second-most in the division.
At the same time, Chelsea have conceded five goals in the last 15 minutes of Premier League games this season — with only Nottingham Forest (seven) conceding more.
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Chelsea player ratings
Chelsea were under par and deserving of the defeat, even if it looked as though it was snatch-and-grab.
Robert Sanchez: 50%
Well beaten by both of Sunderland’s goals, the first coming from Isidor who was right in front of him. Aside from picking the ball out of the net, though, Sanchez didn’t have too much to do with two saves.
Reece James: 60%
James looked good in the Chelsea backline, winning three tackles and possession four times in the defensive third. At the other end of the pitch, James also completed 13 passes into the final third. But, again, he couldn’t stop the drop.
Josh Acheampong: 67%
Some fingers will have been pointed at Acheampong for keeping everyone onside for Sunderland’s equaliser. But he made up for it and then some, keeping Chelsea in the game at times while he was on the pitch. He made three clearances and blocked two shots, while also winning 100% of his ground duels. May have had a slight knock, taken off with just under 15 minutes left to play.
Key stats:
- Retention rate: 96.04%
- Ground duel success: 100%
- Passes into the final third: 7
- Shots blocked: 2
- Clearances: 3
Trevoh Chalobah: 55%
Chalobah made six clearances for Chelsea and boasted a retention rate of 94.96%. But he was also caught ball-watching in the build up to Sunderland’s winner. Chalobah’s success rate in duels was also poor.
Marc Cucurella: 64%
Was his usual attacking self, having four touches in the opposition box and completing 100% of his crosses. He also won two tackles and won possession three times in the defensive third, but was powerless to stop Sunderland’s comeback.
Moises Caicedo: 57%
Moises Caicedo made two interceptions retaining possession but was let down but didn’t have as a good a game as someone of his level should. Only made four ball recoveries and won three duels, both very low.
Enzo Fernandez: 57%
Like Caicedo, Fernandez struggled. He made have made six passes into the penalty area, but Fernandez also only won one duel and five ball recoveries.
Pedro Neto: 61%
There were some questions about Neto’s ability to play on the right, with Garnacho on the left. But he looked to have allayed those fears very quickly, setting up the Argentine. It was a lovely through pass, justifying the selection. But he did also break down a promising attack at the start of the second half with a very poor pass to Garnacho. The assist was his only chance created, despite completing 21 final third passes.
Joao Pedro: 55%
Playing in the No.10 role, Joao Pedro was never really in the game — despite having 30 touches. He created one chance and had three touches in the opposition box, but couldn’t contribute to the attack.
Alejandro Garnacho: 67%
Opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a neat finishing, having beat Mukiele with a stepover. It was Garnacho’s first Chelsea goal and he constantly looked to add to his tally — having more shots than any other Chelsea player at the time of his substitution. He hit the target with two of his three shots, posting 0.23 Expected Goals. He also had six touches in the opposition box, more than any other Chelsea player during his time on the pitch.
Marc Guiu: 50%
There was an interesting story surrounding Guiu for this game, as he was facing the team he had initially been sent on loan to in the summer. But he didn’t really get a chance to show Sunderland fans what they might have missed, with just 10 touches of the ball. Guiu did manage two shots with one on target, but he was so isolated.
Estevao: 67%
Brought on for Garnacho just before the hour mark and was a constant threat for Sunderland.
Jamie Gittens: 57%
Couldn’t really make an impact after coming on.
Tosin Adarabioyo: 60%
Came on to replace Acheampong but was bested by Brobbey in the build up to the winner.
Andrey Santos: N/A
A late sub.
Tyrigue George: N/A
A late sub.
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Sunderland player ratings
Sunderland were excellent across the pitch and well deserving of the victory. Regis Le Bris got his tactics spot on, and the players did exactly what was required of them.
Robin Roefs: 77%
Roefs perhaps should have done better with Garnacho’s goal but he still proved vital for Sunderland’s win. The 22-year-old made six saves in total and prevented 0.26 goals. He also dominated his box with three crosses caught.
Trai Hume: 63%
Had Sunderland’s first shot on target in the opening minute, showing their intent and quality to break Chelsea down. As a full-back, Hume made four clearances and won three aerial duels, while also blocking one cross. He also completed five passes into the final third.
Nordi Mukiele: 61%
Was bested by Garnacho in the box for Chelsea’s opener. But he made up for it with the long throw that set up Sunderland’s equaliser. He was a constant threat with the throws, but also made four clearances and completed five passes into the final third.
Dan Ballard: 62%
Was part of a defence that faced a lot of shots, but they weren’t massively troubled. Ballard — a Chelsea fan — made seven clearances at Stamford Bridge and won three aerial duels. He was also credited with two success offside traps and boasted a retention rate of 91.43%.
Lutsharel Geertruida: 54%
Was the least busy of the Sunderland defenders, making four clearances and winning possession just twice in the defensive third.
Reinildo Mandava: 59%
Reinildo lost the battle in the middle of the pitch to start Chelsea’s move for their goal. But that was a blip in an otherwise decent display. Reinildo made two interceptions retaining possession and three clearances.
Bertrand Traore: 59%
Staring against his former club, Traore was involved in the move for the equaliser, having a shot blocked. He also created one big chance and had three touches in the opposition box, asking questions of the Chelsea defence. Came off midway through the second half.
Noah Sadiki: 66%
Looked solid in the Sunderland midfield, winning two tackles and makign two interceptions retaining possession. He also had a retention rate of 90.91% and completed 89.47% of his open-play passes.
Granit Xhaka: 66%
Completed 11 accurate forward passes and made five passes into the penalty area, always looking to breach the Chelsea backline. Xhaka was in good form to win 80% of his ground duels, while also winning two tackles and making one interception retaining possession.
Enze Le Fee: 64%
Le Fee was Sunderland’s most creative player, making nine passes in the final third and creating two chances. When on the ball, he constantly looked to get Sunderland into dangerous areas. Was taken off with 15 minutes left to play as Sunderland needed fresh legs.
Wilson Isidor: 72%
Isidor tapped in the equaliser from close range with a really clever finish in front of the goalkeeper, despite having his back to goal. He looked to be a constant threat for Chelsea’s defence when Sunderland looked to counter, with three shots and four touches in the opposition box. Isidor also won two aerial duels, proving to be a good out ball.
Key stats:
- Goals: 1
- Shots: 3
- Expected Goals: 0.98
- Aerial duels won: 2
- Touches in the opposition box: 4
Chemsdine Talbi: 67%
Scored the late winner with an excellent finish, from 0.17 non-penalty xG and 0.74 non-penalty post-shot xG — such was the quality of his placement.
Brian Brobbey: 53%
Produced brilliant hold-up play to set up the winner, holding off Adarabioyo for what seemed like ages before playing in Talbi.
Chris Rigg: 55%
Didn’t really do much after coming on, but it didn’t matter.