Sunderland returned to Premier League action against Chelsea at the Stadium of Light after Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.

Régis Le Bris’ side went into the weekend bottom of the table on five points, having won one, drawn two and lost six of their opening nine league games. Chelsea were fourth on 16 points, with five wins, one draw and three defeats. Sunderland had beaten Chelsea home and away last season, although the visitors held the stronger overall record.

Before this fixture, the clubs had met 127 times in all competitions, with Sunderland recording 44 wins, 22 draws and 61 defeats. Here, we look at the moments you may have missed before, during and after their latest Premier League meeting:

Emotional Remembrance tributes unite supporters

There were poignant scenes at the Stadium of Light ahead of kick-off as Sunderland and Chelsea supporters came together to mark Remembrance Sunday.

The ceremony included The Ode of Remembrance, The Last Post, two minutes' silence, Reveille and The Kohima Epitaph. Sunderland sporting director Florent Ghisolfi laid a wreath, while impressive poppy displays were visible in the Roker End and North Stand.

Familiar faces return amid Talbi reception

Former Sunderland duo Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck returned to the Stadium of Light with Chelsea, now managed by Xabi Alonso. Henderson started the contest, while Welbeck was named among the substitutes. The pair previously played together on Wearside.

There was a massive roar when Chemsdine Talbi's name was announced ahead of kick-off, with the winger handed his first Premier League start of the season. His previous league start came against Manchester United on May 9, 2026, ending a 183-day wait to return to the starting XI.

Xhaka injury before Brobbey chances

Granit Xhaka started against Chelsea for the first time since the summer transfer-window drama involving the London club, but his afternoon ended prematurely. The midfielder was replaced by Jules Ahoka early in the contest and headed straight down the tunnel after leaving the pitch.

Brian Brobbey should have opened the scoring after 17 minutes when Talbi floated a ball into the penalty area, but the Dutchman failed to convert on the volley. Ahoka was then booked after 20 minutes, bringing down a Chelsea player to halt a counter-attack following a misplaced Le Fée pass. Brobbey threatened again after 29 minutes, carrying the ball almost three-quarters of the pitch before dragging his left-footed effort wide.

Penalty appeal, Mukiele frustration and referee chants

Chelsea appealed for a penalty after 23 minutes, but a VAR check determined that the contact had started outside the area. Three minutes later, Morgan Rogers missed a glorious opportunity, failing to convert a header from Palestra's cross.

Nordi Mukiele was visibly frustrated with Luke O'Nien after a misplaced long pass, before directing his anger towards referee Jarred Gillett following a foul awarded against Sunderland. The home crowd were equally unimpressed, responding with chants of "Who is the b*****d in the blue?"

Brobbey wins penalty as Roker End backs Le Bris

Sunderland made the breakthrough after 35 minutes when Brobbey latched onto Mukiele's clearance and won a penalty following a challenge from Levi Colwill. The Chelsea defender was booked and, following a VAR check, Le Fée converted from the spot. Chelsea boss Alonso was furious with the decision, while the Roker End responded by loudly chanting Régis Le Bris' name.

Join The Echo’s WhatsApp SAFC Channel for the latest news, team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join.

Five minutes of stoppage time were added, with Sunderland preserving their 1-0 advantage. It was a much-improved display from the Black Cats, whose players appeared determined to fight for their under-pressure head coach. Gillett was booed off by the home crowd, but Sunderland's players received warm applause as they headed down the tunnel.

Chelsea change at the break and tempers flare

Chelsea replaced Levi Colwill with Estevão at half-time, but it wasn't long before tempers began to flare. There were sarcastic cheers from Sunderland supporters when Jarred Gillett awarded a free-kick for a foul on Trai Hume. Thomas Meunier and Morgan Rogers then exchanged words, sparking a confrontation involving Brian Brobbey, Noah Sadiki and Moisés Caicedo. Former Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson stepped in to calm things down.

Meunier was booked for a late sliding challenge on Caicedo after 50 minutes, before Gillett attracted more boos two minutes later when he got in the way of a Sadiki pass. Brobbey was then cautioned for manhandling Roméo Lavia on the ground, prompting chants of "You're not fit to referee" from the home crowd. Pedro Neto was also booked for dissent as the increasingly tempestuous contest continued. At one stage, it appeared that a few Chelsea supporters were joining in with the chants directed at Gillett.

Ahoka scare and Sunderland refuse to back down

Jules Ahoka briefly caused concern around the hour mark after being pushed while airborne near the halfway line, although the youngster was able to continue. Chelsea introduced former Sunderland loanee Danny Welbeck to warm applause from the home supporters, alongside Malo Gusto.

Hume then demonstrated Sunderland's determination to compete physically, pushing Caicedo to the ground with both hands after 63 minutes. Brobbey was furious with Gillett after another contentious foul decision on 65 minutes, making his feelings abundantly clear to the Australian official.

The Dutchman, who had been excellent leading Sunderland's attack, was replaced by Wilson Isidor two minutes later after visibly tiring. Hume was also hobbling around shortly afterwards, while Le Bris could be heard barking instructions at Isidor after the substitute failed to make the run his head coach wanted when Le Fée had possession. Caicedo eventually entered Gillett's notebook after 76 minutes for a foul on Isidor.

Henderson receives applause on Sunderland return

Chelsea pushed for an equaliser during the closing stages, with substitute Geovany Quenda going close with nine minutes remaining. Henderson was replaced with three minutes of normal time remaining and received applause from Sunderland supporters as he left the field. At the same time, Le Bris introduced Juan Angulo and Chris Rigg in place of Talbi and Le Fée as the Black Cats looked to protect their slender advantage.

Mukiele was cautioned for a late challenge during the closing stages, while Le Bris also found himself in Gillett's notebook after becoming animated and stepping outside his technical area. Five minutes of stoppage time were indicated, but the referee played around 70 seconds beyond that allocation before finally bringing proceedings to a close. There were ten yellow cards in total, including the one shown to Le Bris, in a fiercely contested encounter.

Hume collapses as Le Bris receives huge ovation

The final whistle brought enormous relief around the Stadium of Light, with Hume collapsing to the turf in exhaustion after giving everything for the cause. Le Bris walked onto the pitch to applaud his players and was warmly received by Sunderland supporters following a hugely important victory. It was a telling moment after weeks of mounting pressure on the Frenchman, with the players producing the sort of performance supporters had been desperate to see.

Xhaka's telling response after full-time

There was another interesting moment after the final whistle when Granit Xhaka returned to the pitch to celebrate with his teammates. The Sunderland captain, who had headed straight down the tunnel following his early substitution, was all smiles as he congratulated his teammates on an impressive victory.

Given the recent scrutiny surrounding Xhaka and his commitment to the club, it was a particularly telling response from the experienced midfielder. Henderson was also spotted handing his shirt to a Sunderland fan after the game in what was a nice gesture to witness.