Le Fee's penalty sends Sunderland past Chelsea and off the bottom
Sunderland beat Chelsea on Sunday, and a penalty from Enzo Le Fee made the difference. The win lifted them off the bottom of the Premier League, England's top division.
The game was played at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland's home ground, with a 2pm kick-off. It was shown live on Sky Sports.
The turning point came in the 36th minute. Chelsea defender Levi Colwill brought down Brian Brobbey, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. A penalty is a free shot from 12 yards, with only the goalkeeper to beat. Le Fee took it and sent Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders the wrong way, according to BBC Sport.
Sunderland had a worrying start too. Captain Granit Xhaka went off injured after less than three minutes. Colwill was booked before half-time and was taken off at the break. Penders was busy later on, making a save from Wilson Isidor.
BBC Sport gave out player ratings, marks out of 10. Brobbey and Thomas Meunier both scored 8, the best marks on the day. Robin Roefs and Le Fee were given 7, Penders 6, and Colwill 4.
Going into the match, Chelsea's own preview had counted two Premier League goals for Le Fee and three for Brobbey this season. Le Fee has had a bad moment from the spot before, too. He had a penalty saved at Brentford earlier in the campaign.
The two sides have met before. In May, Sunderland beat Chelsea 2-1 and finished seventh, which earned them a place in the Europa League, the second-tier European competition. Chelsea missed out on European football that season.
For Sunderland, the result is about more than one afternoon. Climbing off the bottom of the table gives a team breathing room and a little confidence. Their fans have a fresh reason to sing in the stands.
For Chelsea, it is a difficult afternoon. They were left to ask questions about their defence and their control of the game, and the result leaves them with work to do.
The Premier League season is long. A single penalty can feel huge on the day and small in March. Still, on a grey November Sunday in the north-east, the sound from the Stadium of Light tells you exactly what the win meant to the home crowd.
