Chelsea fall to late Sunderland defeat in major setback for Enzo Maresca – 5 talking points

CHELSEA 1-2 SUNDERLAND: Alejandro Garnacho set Chelsea up for a promising afternoon but Wilson Isidor and Chemsdine Talbi earned three points for Sunderland away from home

Sunderland earned a last-gasp victory at Chelsea as Chemsdine Talbi scored his first goal for the club. The Blues failed to cement their Premier League title challenge as Sunderland fly into second place.

Chelsea wasted little time taking the lead when Pedro Neto found Alejandro Garnacho with a smart pass. The Argentina international drove down the left side of the box and fired a low shot through Robin Roefs in the fourth minute.

But Sunderland were not deterred, and, cheered on by a vocal away support, pressed on with their own attacks. After 22 minutes, Wilson Isidor capitalised when Chelsea failed to clear a long throw into the box from Nordi Mukiele, allowing the French forward to poke the ball into the net.

An open second period saw both sides record chances but fail to find the net. Chelsea were unable to find the required execution, and their opponents did not want to settle for a draw.

It was a game on a knife-edge as it wore on, but neither side could tip the balance until stoppage time. Brian Brobbey held up the ball and found Talbi to slot home and ruin Chelsea’s day. Mirror Football takes a look at the talking points from the clash.

1. Guiu’s mixed bag

Fresh from scoring in the Champions League, Guiu made his first start in the Premier League this season for the Blues. Taking in Stamford Bridge’s surroundings before the game, the Spaniard was embracing Sunderland stars he was team-mates with a matter of weeks ago.

It was a rollercoaster window for Guiu, who joined the Black Cats before swiftly returning to Chelsea amid an injury crisis. However, starts were not forthcoming until the last seven days, and Enzo Maresca had highlighted the teenager’s poor training as a reason behind it.

Speaking ahead of this weekend, the Italian seemed to suggest Guiu could help unlock Joao Pedro’s best talents.

“Marc is a typical number nine, you will see physically strong, he is a box player, again he is [born in] 06, he can improve and he can do many things better and we are working with him every day to help him and as I said many times, he is going to play games with us,” said Maresca. “Then in terms of Joao [Pedro], we know that he can play as a No.9 or he can play as a No.10, in both positions I think Joao is very good but probably when he has another No.9 next to him, he is playing better.”

With Liam Delap on the verge of returning from injury, is the Blues boss just preparing a system for the former Ipswich star over Guiu? The forward did little to convince he would be a regular starter for the Blues and the pairing of Pedro and Guiu looked pretty blunt.

A return to Sunderland is the youngster’s only prospect beyond staying at the club. But with figures such as Wilson Isidor and Bertrand Traore, minutes would far from be guaranteed at the Stadium of Light. Guiu finds himself in a difficult situation.

2. Garnacho finally at home

After being taken off at half-time against Nottingham Forest, making a fast start against Sunderland will have done Garnacho a world of good. The Argentina international’s goal exhibited all of his best qualities as he sent a reminder of his talents despite his controversial Old Trafford exit.

Garnacho’s celebration harked back to his days with the Red Devils, but he polished it off with a firm point at his Chelsea shirt and then down onto the turf at Stamford Bridge. The 21-year-old has found his home for the moment, and if he can beat some strong competition, he could enjoy a positive season.

With figures such as Pedro Neto, Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens he will need to continue to deliver. Garnacho may have the strongest track record to be relied upon.

The forward only lasted an hour, but perhaps he is still building his ability to maintain his efforts after a pre-season away from first team training.

3. Maresca’s endless options

After demolishing Ajax midweek, Maresca was able to make eight changes to his team and still produce a more than respectable XI. Whether they were capable of getting a result after doing so would go a long way to discovering how they can manage to elite competitions each week.

But, Chelsea produced a Premier League high against Sunderland with Alejandro Garnacho’s goal seeing the club find their 10th different player to score in the division this season. The volume of attacking talent they have is inarguable.

Is it enough? A defeat at home to a newly-promoted side would indicate not. At the very least, being able to bring Estevao off the bench isn’t a bad option to have.

4. Long throws here to stay

They’re the talk of the town, and Sunderland showed why they are back in fashion. Going into the game, the Black Cats had been responsible for more throw-ins into the box than any Premier League team but Brentford.

“Knowing that at this moment most teams in the Premier League – but also in other leagues – are using long throws, we try to find solutions and learn how we can deal with that,” said Maresca, previewing the match. “It’s difficult. Most of the long throws go inside the six-yard box, so it’s complicated. We have reviewed the goal Brentford scored against us not only this week, because we are playing Sunderland, but other teams we faced after Brentford who use a long throw.”

It didn’t help. The west London side were incapable of defending Sunderland’s long throw that found Bertrand Traore before his scuffed effort made its way to Isidor to find the net. Sunderland were ready for each challenge, Chelsea were not on that occasion and teams will look to exploit it.

“It’s a really good goal from Sunderland,” said Troy Deeney on Final Score. “It’s worrying that they can’t seem to defend long throws. It’s the basics we learnt from three or four years old.”

5. Sunderland show credentials

It’s early to look at the Premier League table, but Sunderland entered the fixture level on points with Chelsea and with the possibility of going into second. They did not look overawed. Not even when they went behind after just four minutes.

Regis Le Bris’ side showed discipline and goalscoring threat when they had the ball. They were happy to challenge Chelsea’s wide threats too.

With Granit Xhaka’s experience, Isidor’s goalscoring ability, and Le Bris’s coaching chops, they appear set for a season beyond survival. At no point did a draw look enough for Sunderland, three points was always on the agenda.

Reaching the necessary points tally will remain their primary task, but they looked like a Premier League team on Saturday.

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