Sunderland completed their Premier League return in style after a 2-1 win over Chelsea confirmed their spot in the Europa League next season.
Trai Hume sent the Black Cats ahead in the 25th minute with a bottom-corner finish and they doubled their advantage five minutes after the restart through Malo Gusto’s own goal in a chaotic start to the second half.
Cole Palmer pulled one back for Chelsea in the 56th minute, but just six minutes later the Blues were reduced to 10 when Wesley Fofana picked up a second yellow card.
Victory combined with results elsewhere cemented Sunderland’s place in Europe next season, capping off a sensational top-flight return for the club, who earned promotion exactly one year ago to the day after beating Sheffield United in the Championship playoff final at Wembley.
The result means Sunderland will compete in Europe for the first time in 53 years.
Chelsea had started the day in eighth, but defeat sees them finish one point outside of the European places after slipping into 10th.
Luke O’Nien replaced Omar Alderete in the Sunderland line-up from last weekend’s win over Everton, while Chelsea made three changes from their victory over Tottenham as Gusto, Levi Colwill and João Pedro all started.
Palmer had a tame effort pushed away by Robin Roefs, but the Black Cats largely controlled the early stages.
Hume played a neat ball into Enzo Le Fée, who charged down the right and forced Robert Sánchez into a strong save at his near post.
Pedro Neto’s deep free-kick was scrambled away by the home defence but Sunderland nearly struck twice at the other end when Colwill booted away Hume’s cross intended for Brian Brobbey and Nilson Angulo’s curling strike was held by Sanchez.
The Black Cats found the opener when Roefs’ kick was nodded down by O’Nien for Hume to squeeze the ball into the bottom corner.
Hume almost turned provider after playing Brobbey through, but the striker smashed his effort into the side netting.
Chelsea began to see more of the ball towards the end of the first half and their best opportunity came when Gusto crossed into Pedro at the back post, but the striker’s header sailed wide.
Sunderland were straight out of the blocks just seconds after the restart when Le Fee flicked a pass towards Brobbey and his effort was saved by Sanchez.
However, the hosts soon extended their advantage five minutes into the second half when Le Fee’s cross was sliced towards goal by Brobbey and Gusto turned the ball into his own net.
One of the advertising boards was knocked over as players and fans celebrated the goal and Angulo then sent an effort narrowly over the bar.
Chelsea replied through Palmer as Roefs pushed his low strike into the bottom corner.
The game took another twist in the 62nd minute when Fofana was booked for a second time after fouling substitute Wilson Isidor. Granit Xhaka’s subsequent free-kick pinballed around the box and was cleared away.
Sunderland controlled the game, with Le Fee having an effort saved by Sanchez while a Blues attack saw Palmer send a shot over the bar.
Reece James had a shot saved before Isidor’s effort was blocked and Sunderland navigated 10 additional minutes of stoppage time to secure their place in Europe.
Information from PA and The Associated Press was used in this recap.—ESPN
