Premier League Sunday: Sunderland Stun Chelsea as Brighton Climb to Second and Liverpool Strengthen Top-Four Push

Sunderland stunned Chelsea to secure a much-needed first league win since August, while Liverpool continued their push for the top four with a convincing victory at Crystal Palace. Brighton climbed to second after overcoming Brentford, and Bournemouth extended their winning run to four games with victory at Ipswich Town. Here is how Sunday's Premier League action unfolded.

Sunderland beat Chelsea 1-0 at the Stadium of Light to win for the first time in the league since August. Enzo Le Fée sent Mike Penders the wrong way from the spot in the 36th minute. The penalty was a talking point, as referee Jarred Gillett decided Levi Colwill had pulled down Brian Brobbey, even though both players were grappling as Brobbey drove towards goal. Chelsea had 69% of the ball, but Sunderland had the better chances. It is only their second league win of the season and it eases the pressure on Régis Le Bris, though they are still in the bottom three. Chelsea lost their second league game in three and stay fifth. 

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Liverpool won 3-1 at Crystal Palace, who are bottom of the table and have just seven points from 30 under Pierre Sage. His future looks shaky. Alexis Mac Allister headed Liverpool in front in the 40th minute from a neat free-kick routine. Florian Wirtz made it 2-0 in the 54th minute after a pass from Bradley Barcola, and Alexander Isak sealed it on the break in the 89th for his seventh league goal of the season. Eddie Nketiah scored a penalty for Crystal Palace with the last kick of the game. Crystal Palace had more of the ball and plenty of chances, but Alisson made six saves. Liverpool are fourth, nine points behind leaders Arsenal.

Brighton moved up to second after beating ten-man Brentford 2-0 at the Amex, helped by Manchester City’s slip at Nottingham Forest. Diego Gómez opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a left-footed rocket from 25 yards into the top corner. Eight minutes later, Igor Thiago was sent off for violent conduct after a VAR check showed his arm catching Chema Andres in the face. Pascal Groß then scored a penalty in the 42nd minute after Keane Lewis-Potter fouled Luka Vušković. It is Brighton’s sixth win in seven league games. Brentford failed to register a shot on target and slip to eighth.

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Bournemouth won 2-1 at Ipswich Town to make it four league wins in a row. Evanilson scored in the 5th minute after Christian Walton misjudged a backpass from Dara O’Shea, and the forward has now scored in five league games in a row. Leif Davis put through his own net in the 46th minute after a Ryan Christie shot was deflected. Jack Clarke pulled one back from the penalty spot for Ipswich Town in the 73rd minute after Lewis Cook fouled Abdoul Ouattara. Bournemouth held on through nine added minutes and are now seventh, while Ipswich Town are 14th. Evanilson was Player of the Match.