Chelsea shocked by Sunderland, Liverpool cruise

LONDON: Chelsea suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Premier League strugglers Sunderland, while Liverpool got back on track with a 3-1 win against lowly Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Xabi Alonso's Chelsea arrived at the Stadium of Light hoping to bolster their bid to qualify for the Champions League via a top-four finish.

Instead, they departed red-faced after an embarrassing loss to third-bottom Sunderland, who celebrated a league victory for only the second time this season.

Fifth-placed Chelsea have already been beaten four times in 10 league matches under former Real Madrid boss Alonso.

Chelsea were rocked in the 36th minute when Enzo Le Fee converted a penalty after Brian Brobbey was up-ended by Levi Colwill.

Blues boss Xabi Alonso was furious that Chelsea were not given a foul on Cole Palmer in the build-up to the spot-kick.

Liverpool had been beaten by Arsenal in the Premier League and Fenerbahce in the Champions League before arriving in south London, sparking pointed questions about Andoni Iraola in the former Bournemouth manager's first season in charge at Anfield.

But Alexis Mac Allister headed Liverpool in front at Selhurst Park from Dominik Szoboszlai's cross after 40 minutes.

Florian Wirtz bagged Liverpool's second with a composed finish from Bradley Barcola's cross in the 54th minute.

It was Wirtz's first league goal this season and only the second in all competitions for the inconsistent German playmaker this term.

Alexander Isak finished off Wirtz's pass in the 89th minute to wrap up fourth-placed Liverpool's much-needed victory after a two-game losing streak.

It was Liverpool's fourth consecutive away league win this season.

Eddie Nketiah's stoppage-time penalty after a foul by Milos Kerkez was no consolation for Palace.

Palace manager Pierre Sage – hired to replace Oliver Glasner in the close-season is on the brink of being sacked after his side slumped to the bottom of the table following their seventh defeat in 10 league matches.

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Seagulls flying high

Brighton extended their superb start to the season, climbing to second place with a 2-0 win against Brentford at the Amex Stadium.

While Fabian Hurzeler's side might not have the staying power to challenge Arsenal for the title, they have established themselves as contenders for a Champions League place.

Diego Gomez's 25-yard rocket gave the Seagulls the lead in the 15th minute.

Brentford striker Igor Thiago was sent off for clattering Chema Andres in the face midway through the first half.

Pascal Gross doubled Brighton's advantage with a 42nd minute penalty after Keane Lewis-Potter fouled Luka Vuskovic.

The Seagulls' sixth win in their last seven league games lifted them above third-placed Manchester City and within five points of champions Arsenal, who beat Hull on Saturday.

Evanilson maintained his hot streak in Bournemouth's 2-1 win at Ipswich.

The Cherries' Brazilian forward struck with a clinical finish in the fifth minute, taking him to seven goals in his last eight games.

An own goal from Leif Davis in the 46th minute increased Bournemouth's lead and Jack Clarke's 73rd minute penalty wasn't enough to rescue Ipswich.

In Sunday's late game, Manchester United manager Michael Carrick cannot afford a defeat against Aston Villa at Old Trafford as he fights to save his job ahead of the international break.

United are without a victory in their last seven league games and have won just once in the top-flight this term.

They ended a miserable nine-match winless run in all competitions by coming from two goals down to beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday. — AFP

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