Sunderland qualified for the UEFA Europa League their first time back in the Premier League in eight years, while Chelsea will be without European football for Xabi Alonso’s first season after finishing 10th.
WATCH — Sunderland v Chelsea full match replay
The Black Cats were widely tipped to be relegated when the season began back in August, but head coach Regis Le Bris did a masterful job to finish 7th, and to do it against one of the three sides they were up against in the race for 7th and 8th.
Trai Hume opened the scoring in the 25th minute and an own goal from Malo Gusto in the 50th made it 2-0 to Sunderland, before Cole Palmer pulled a goal back six minutes later. Six minutes after that, though, Chelsea’s fight was effectively over. Wesley Fofana was shown yellow no. 2 and the Blues were down to 10 mend for the final half-hour, up against a side that had already out-worked them up until that point.
Sunderland vs Chelsea live updates - by Andy Edwards
Sunderland vs Chelsea final score: 2-1
Goalscorers: Trai Hume (25'), Malo Gusto (50' - OG), Cole Palmer (56')
RED CARD! Wesley Fofana sent off after quick yellows (62')
GOAL! Sunderland 2-1 Chelsea: Palmer cuts inside and scores near post (56')
OWN GOAL! Sunderland 2-0 Chelsea: Gusto puts the Blacks ahead by two goals (50')
GOAL! Sunderland 1-0 Chelsea: Hume pokes one past Sanchez at the near post (25')
Trai Hume fires home for Sunderland as they chase their European dream! pic.twitter.com/jakoiV5drt
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 24, 2026
Sunderland starting XI
Roefs - Geertruida, Mukiele, O’Nien, Reinildo - Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee - Hume, Angulo, Brobbey
Chelsea starting XI
Sanchez - Fofana, Colwill, Hato - Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez, Cucurella - Palmer, Neto, Pedro
How to watch Sunderland vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11am ET Sunday (May 24)
Venue: Stadium of Light — Sunderland
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
The Black Cats have enjoyed an incredible return to the Premier League, with Regis Le Bris’ side sitting on 51 points heading into the final game and they could finish as high as seventh and qualify for the Europa League, while eighth is a Conference League spot and very doable. They secured a comeback 3-1 win at Everton last weekend to set up this scenario and roared on by their brilliant home support, Sunderland will go for it in a big way.
Chelsea beat bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to take their hunt for European qualification to the final day as they sit on 52 points. Granted, it’s not the Champions League spot they would have wanted, but they are still in the scrap for Europa League qualification heading into the final 90 minutes. And with incoming manager Xabi Alonso watching closely, there is plenty for the Chelsea players to prove.
Sunderland team news, focus
Dan Ballard is suspended, while Omar Alderete, Romain Mundle and Bertrand Traore are all doubts. Sunderland have a pretty settled team and Le Bris has some real talent to bring off the bench if needed with Wilson Isidor, Chris Rigg, Chemsdine Talbi and Habib Diarra all coming on and having a huge impact in the win at Everton last weekend. Sunderland will look to keep it tight then go for it in the second half as they have won so many points from losing positions.
Chelsea team news, focus
Interim boss Calum McFarlane will take charge of Chelsea for the final time and, aside from the home defeat to Nottingham Forest, he’s done pretty well in his caretaker role. The likes of Levi Colwill and Cole Palmer will be disappointed after reportedly missing out on England’s World Cup squad, not to mention player of the year Joao Pedro who didn’t make it into Brazil’s squad, but every single Chelsea player will be eager to impress incoming boss Xabi Alonso and sealing Europa League qualification would be something for them to cheer. Estevao, Jesse Derry and Jamie Gittens are out, while Joao Pedro and Romeo Lavia are doubts.
Sunderland vs Chelsea prediction
This is going to be a tight encounter but it feels like Sunderland will get another narrow win, probably late on, to give themselves a brilliant chance of qualifying for Europe. Sunderland 2-1 Chelsea.
