Talbi delivers dramatic blow as Sunderland sink Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge

Chemsdine Talbi scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Sunderland stunned Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

The 20-year-old Morocco international ghosted into the box unmarked to slot home after Brian Brobbey held off two defenders, sparking wild celebrations among the away fans in the Shed End.

According to ESPN, it was a fiercely contested encounter, but if Chelsea are serious about improving on last season’s fourth-place finish, this is the kind of hard-fought game they must learn to win.

Sunderland matched them stride for stride for long spells and looked impressively composed on the ball — few teams under Enzo Maresca have come to Stamford Bridge and attacked with such confidence.
Chelsea took an early lead through Alejandro Garnacho, who scored his first Blues goal following a quick counterattack down the left.

The £40 million summer signing cut inside and finished coolly through Robin Roefs’ legs.

Maresca had recently dismissed suggestions that Chelsea would adopt the Premier League’s growing long-throw trend.

But Sunderland used the tactic to perfection, as Wilson Isidor equalised after Nordi Mukiele’s throw caused chaos in the Chelsea box.

Chelsea’s first-half plan was simple — stretch Sunderland wide and switch play to the opposite flank — but the visitors stayed disciplined and compact.

Marc Cucurella provided rare attacking sparks from left-back, while Reinildo Mandava’s defending nullified Pedro Neto on the right.

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris once again turned to Mukiele’s throw-in prowess to unlock Chelsea’s defence, leading to Isidor’s equaliser before Talbi’s last-gasp heroics sealed a memorable away win.

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