Sunderland AFC secured qualification for European competition for the first time in 53 years after defeating Chelsea FC to book a place in the Europa League at the visitors’ expense.
The Black Cats became only the fifth club to qualify for Europe through their Premier League finish just one year after earning promotion, ending the season in seventh place.
Chelsea, meanwhile, slumped to a 10th-place finish and failed to secure European qualification in interim manager Calum McFarlane’s final game in charge.
Defender Trai Hume opened the scoring midway through the first half with a superb first-time volley that caught goalkeeper Robert Sánchez off guard at the Stadium of Light.
Chelsea’s problems worsened in the second half when defender Malo Gusto diverted a wayward effort from Brian Brobbey into his own net. Although Cole Palmer pulled one back with a long-range strike, Sunderland held firm to seal the victory.
The home side were further boosted when Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession during the second half. The dismissal marked Chelsea’s eighth red card in the league this season — twice as many as any other club — and their highest number of sendings-off in a single Premier League campaign.
Sunderland were deserved winners after dominating large spells of the contest, despite Chelsea creating early opportunities through Palmer and João Pedro. Brobbey and substitute Habib Diarra also missed clear chances for the hosts.
The victory saw Sunderland leapfrog both Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Brentford FC, who both failed to win on Sunday, to clinch qualification for Europe’s second-tier competition.
