Chelsea lost 1-2 to Sunderland Maresca: We were not good enough
Chelsea scored the fastest goal of the season thanks to Garnacho but still lost 1-2; Isidor equalized, Talbi sealed the 90+3 for Sunderland. Chelsea has 14 points after 9 rounds, ranked 7th.
Chelsea fell 1-2 to newcomers Sunderland at Stamford Bridge, despite taking an early lead thanks to Alejandro Garnacho's goal. The key moment came in the 90+3 minute, when Chemsdine Talbi extinguished the Blues' hopes. Enzo Maresca admitted his team "weren't good enough", losing in disputes and second balls.
Development: took an early lead but fell at 90+3
At home, Chelsea got off to the perfect start with Garnacho opening the scoring early on – the Blues’ quickest goal in the Premier League this season. However, the hosts were unable to extend their lead and Sunderland came back into the game.
Wilson Isidor levelled the game before Talbi scored the winner in the 90+3 minute. The late blow silenced Stamford Bridge and ended Maresca's men's run of four consecutive wins in all competitions.
This result keeps Chelsea in 7th place with 14 points after 9 Premier League rounds.
Tactical and intensity angle: Chelsea lost in the contest and second ball
From Maresca’s own admission, Chelsea’s core problem was not their initial intentions but their intensity of execution. After the opening goal, the Blues failed to convert their advantage into real control. The 50-50s, the duels and the second balls favored Sunderland – something Maresca emphasized after the match.
When Chelsea lost their physical advantage, their confidence and rhythm were sapped. It is a common scenario in the Premier League: a momentary slump is enough for opponents to come back. Sunderland persevered, capitalising on errors in the contest, then delivering the decisive blow in injury time.
Rare bright spot: fastest opening goal of the season
Despite the defeat, Chelsea did have one positive sign: the fastest goal of the season in the Premier League. The good start shows that the Blues’ attacking structure can create quality situations early on – a foundation for stability, if they maintain intensity and focus after taking the lead.
Statistics and milestones
- Score: Chelsea 1-2 Sunderland
- Goals: Chelsea – Alejandro Garnacho; Sunderland – Wilson Isidor, Chemsdine Talbi 90+3
- Win streak: Chelsea's 4-match winning streak (all competitions) ended
- Score and ranking: 14 points after 9 rounds, ranked 7th in the Premier League
- Characteristics: Sunderland are rookies
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Score | Chelsea 1-2 Sunderland |
| Opening goal | Alejandro Garnacho |
| Equalizer | Wilson Isidor |
| Decision table | Chemsdine Talbi 90+3 |
| Winning streak | Chelsea stopped at 4 matches (all competitions) |
| Score | 14 points after 9 rounds |
| Location | Saturday Premier League |
Coach Maresca's reaction
The Italian coach did not shy away from reality: "I think overall we were not good enough. The team knows that if you slip up a little bit you can lose points against any team in the Premier League. It is difficult."
On the early start and the positives, Maresca said: "There were some positives, for sure. Chelsea started well with that goal, but even with the goal we felt we were losing physically, duels, second balls, things like that. Against teams like that it's always difficult for my players."
Impact and Forward
The defeat cost Chelsea the chance to stay close to the top and exposed issues with intensity and management after taking the lead. The challenge for Maresca is to restore quality in the contest and second ball possession – small details that decide the outcome.
Next round, Chelsea travel to Tottenham. In the context of the London Derby is always unpredictable, any decline can be costly - Maresca warned after this match.