Sunderland’s Regis Le Bris Orchestrates Historic Start with Chelsea Triumph.

17 points from 9 matches

Sunderland continued their remarkable start to the Premier League with an impressive 2-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday, marking a significant milestone for the team. Under Regis Le Bris, the Black Cats had already amassed 14 points in their first seven matches, a commendable achievement considering their promotion over the summer. The victory was earned through sheer determination and teamwork, rather than luck. Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring for Chelsea within just four minutes, but Sunderland responded quickly, capitalizing on a defensive error to equalize in the 22nd minute with a goal from Wilson Isidor.

In the second half, Sunderland displayed resilience in defense, effectively dealing with numerous crosses, thanks to the aerial prowess of Stuart Ballard and Lutsharel Geertruida. After several close chances on the counter-attack thwarted by Josh Acheampong, the visitors secured a stunning victory in the 93rd minute with a goal from substitute Chemsdine Talbi, igniting jubilation among the away fans. Notably, this marks Chelsea’s first defeat this season while having a full squad, following earlier losses where they experienced player send-offs against Manchester United and Brighton.

For Sunderland, this victory marks their first win at Stamford Bridge in 12 years, matching another 2-1 triumph from 2011. More significantly, it cements their best-ever league standing after nine matches, placing them second in the Premier League with 17 points, ahead of Chelsea’s 14. They had never surpassed fifth place after matchday 9 before this season, achieving the same point total under Peter Reid in the 1999/20 season. Le Bris has garnered widespread acclaim for the transformation at Sunderland since his appointment in June 2024, guiding the team through the Championship play-offs and instilling an attractive style of play in the top flight while demonstrating tactical adaptability during away matches. His squad has proven effective in securing points in unexpected situations, highlighted by this standout performance against the reigning world champions, Chelsea.

Sunderland’s €187.9 million expenditure was the highest among all promoted clubs and the ninth highest overall, though they recouped €50 million via player sales, including Jobe Bellingham’s transfer to Borussia Dortmund. The signings of well-known players such as Granit Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele, and Simon Adingra were notable achievements, but their astute acquisitions like 20-year-old Talbi for €20 million from Club Brugge and goalkeeper Robin Roefs for €10 million have also proven valuable.

The passionate and energetic support from Sunderland fans was markedly louder than the home supporters at Stamford Bridge, motivating the players to fight for every ball, every tackle, and to surge forward in the final moments of the game, ultimately leading to their unlikely victory. While their status as title challengers may fade in the coming weeks, Sunderland’s bold supporters can revel in the success of their team. After facing relegation to the third tier only two seasons ago and currently sitting second in the Premier League behind Arsenal, the pride and joy experienced by Sunderland fans is undoubtedly heightened.