Sunderland beat Chelsea to end league winless run

Sunderland beat Chelsea 1-0 at the Stadium of Light to end their winless Premier League run and move off the bottom of the table, though they remain in the relegation zone. Enzo Le Fée scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the 36th minute, after Brian Brobbey was brought down in the area.

The victory came after Sunderland had gone seven league matches without a win. They began the match at the foot of the table, and Chelsea had more possession, but Sunderland held on to secure three points before the international break. Captain Granit Xhaka went off with an injury in the fourth minute.

Manager Régis Le Bris called the result crucial and praised his side’s identity, intensity and togetherness. He said Sunderland’s target remained 40 points and that the team still had a long way to go. Le Bris said Xhaka’s injury looked like a calf problem; no later medical assessment was reported.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said his team did not do enough to deserve a win, citing a lack of patience, quality and creativity in the final third. He also criticised Chelsea’s defending in the buildup to Sunderland’s penalty, saying it was a situation the team could have avoided. Alonso said he...