Chelsea have taken the lead in their Premier League clash against Sunderland at Stamford Bridge, with Alejandro Garnacho scoring his first-ever goal for the club in the opening minutes of the game.
The young Argentine winger struck early to put the Blues 1–0 up, capping off a confident start for Mauricio Pochettino’s side as they seek to extend their winning streak to five matches across all competitions.
A Bright Start for Chelsea
The hosts came into the fixture aiming to break into the top four and maintain their momentum after a string of solid performances. Despite missing Estevao, Chelsea looked sharp from the start, with Garnacho leading the attack brilliantly.
Pedro Neto found space down the flank and picked out Garnacho, who controlled well before firing low past Sunderland’s goalkeeper, Robin Roefs. The goal — a milestone for Garnacho since joining Chelsea — electrified Stamford Bridge and set the tone for a dominant first-half display.
Sunderland Showing Fight
Promoted Sunderland, under the guidance of Regis Le Bris, have impressed many this season, collecting 14 points from their opening eight matches — their best start to a top-flight campaign since 1999–2000.
Despite that form, their record against Chelsea remains a tough one. The Black Cats have now lost 21 of their last 26 league games against the Blues. Still, their pressing and defensive organization in the opening minutes showed why they’ve been such a surprise package since returning to the Premier League.
Match Notes
- Score: Chelsea 1–0 Sunderland (as of 18’)
- Goal: Garnacho (4’)
- Highlights: Cucurella and Caicedo both came close to doubling the lead, while Sunderland’s Ballard was lucky to avoid a yellow card after fouling Joao Pedro.
- Team News: Joao Pedro returned from suspension for Chelsea, while Malo Gusto was out due to a ban. Sunderland welcomed back Reinildo Mandava but missed Omar Alderete through concussion protocols.
Expert Insight
Reporting live from Stamford Bridge, Sam Tabuteau noted:
“Chelsea are hunting for a second. Garnacho is at the heart of everything good for the Blues, who don’t look for a second like they are missing Estevao.”
What’s Next
Chelsea will aim to maintain their dominance and secure all three points to push further up the table. Sunderland, meanwhile, must regroup quickly and find a way to respond if they hope to continue their impressive start to the season.
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