Sunderland secured their first Premier League win since August by beating Chelsea 1-0 at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, while Liverpool climbed to fourth with a 3-1 victory over bottom side Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Enzo Le Fee settled the game in the 36th minute, converting from the penalty spot after sending Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders the wrong way.
Referee Jarred Gillett awarded Sunderland the penalty after deciding that Chelsea defender Levi Colwill had pulled down Brian Brobbey during a tussle inside the area.
The victory was only Regis Le Bris’s team’s second league success of the season and their sixth win in all competitions. Sunderland moved off the bottom of the table but remain in the relegation zone.
Chelsea, managed by Xabi Alonso and still without injured captain Reece James, have now suffered two defeats in their last three league matches. They remain fifth and missed the opportunity to move into the Champions League places.
Liverpool recover at Palace
Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool responded to their midweek European defeat by Fenerbahce with a victory that condemned Crystal Palace to a fourth successive league loss.
Palace came close to opening the scoring when winger Yeremy Pino struck the crossbar from close range. Jørgen Strand Larsen also had a goal ruled out for offside before Liverpool took the lead in the 40th minute.
Alexis Mac Allister headed in from a free-kick routine to give the visitors the advantage at half-time.
Liverpool extended their lead nine minutes after the restart when Florian Wirtz finished from Bradley Barcola’s pass. Barcola was signed during the summer.
Alexander Isak added a third in the 89th minute, slotting the ball past the Palace goalkeeper for his seventh league goal of the season, according to Liverpool FC.
Crystal Palace reduced the deficit with the final kick of stoppage time. Substitute Eddie Nketiah, who replaced Strand Larsen in the 72nd minute, converted a penalty after Milos Kerkez was penalised.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker made six saves during the match as Liverpool moved into fourth place. They are nine points behind leaders Arsenal.
The defeat leaves Pierre Sage’s Crystal Palace at the bottom of the table with seven points from a possible 30.
