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SUNDERLAND KEEP DREAM ALIVE WITH SHOCKING VICTORY OVER CHELSEA

Sunderland stunned Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge with a stoppage-time winner from Chemsdine Talbi. Wilson Isidor had earlier cancelled out Alejandro Garnacho's opener, handing Enzo Maresca's Blues a costly defeat.

Sunderland Keep Dream Alive With Shocking Victory Over Chelsea
Talbi´s dramatic winner in the third minute of added time at Stamford Bridge - John Walton/PA Wire

Sunderland shocked Chelsea with a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge, thanks to a spectacular goal from Chemsdine Talbi in stoppage time.

After Brian Brobbey held the ball up alone against two defenders, the 20-year-old Morocco international went unchallenged into the area to sweep home, causing frenzied celebrations among away fans in the Shed End.

Although the game was intense, Chelsea will need to learn how to win this kind of close match if they hope to improve on their fourth-place result from the previous campaign.

For extended stretches, Sunderland was on par with them, and since Enzo Maresca took over, few clubs have visited and appeared so at ease with the ball, so prepared and able to attack Chelsea.

Before the game had a chance to settle, Alejandro Garnacho put them behind. The £40 million summer acquisition completed a swift breakaway down the left to score his first goal for the Blues.

Maresca had stated that he was not prepared to follow the long throw-in fad, but Sunderland demonstrated that they understood the latest attacking fad in the top flight by equalising through top scorer Wilson Isidor, who finished after Nordi Mukiele's launch had caused havoc inside the box.

Although their opponents were smart enough to avoid openings, Chelsea's first-half strategy was straightforward, if not always successful: push the ball wide to pull Sunderland over, then reverse the play to the far post.

Chelsea's goal came from the lone departure from that blueprint. After stealing the ball in midfield, Pedro Neto delivered it to Garnacho high on the left, who may have run too easily around Mukiele before finishing through Robin Roefs' legs.

On the other side, Neto was fighting to avoid the attentions of the unstoppable Reinildo Mandava, who essentially neutralised Chelsea's right side, while Garnacho was enjoying his best forty-five minutes in blue yet.

Marc Cucurella, who three times rushed forward from left-back and tricked Sunderland just by being inside their box, looked to be their strongest threat.

Regis Le Bris had his own weapon in the form of Mukiele, but Maresca stated this week that he would send for former Stoke midfielder Rory Delap if he ever learned to use the long throw-in. Bertrand Traore's shot struck Joao Pedro and bounced back to Isidor, who scored the equaliser. It was his powerful launch that got him there.

Garnacho's athletic effort as he slipped in at the far post resulted in a save from Roefs, who also turned Trevoh Chalobah's long-range rocket over. Granit Xhaka then set Isidor away down the left for a blast that pounded into Robert Sanchez's side netting.

Chelsea's next opportunity was created by a more experienced player, as Reece James beat Enzo Le Fee and crossed for Cucurella, who had it taken off his head by a fantastic intervention from Roefs. Estevao Willian was thrown in to try and give Chelsea some bite on the right side.

A fair outcome would have been a draw. It was a memorable one because of Talbi's late finish.

CONOR GALLAGHER CONFIRMED AS "VITAL" STARTER FOR SPURS FOLLOWING BENTANCUR’S INJURY LAYOFF

Conor Gallagher proved the doubters wrong against Man City. Discover why his €40m move to Tottenham is finally paying off for Spurs.

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Conor Gallagher secured first Spurs assist as Tottenham snatched a point at City

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid both decided Conor Gallagher wasn’t worth the trouble. At Chelsea, he had his moments—Pochettino liked him, but the fans never really warmed up. When Chelsea shipped him off to Atletico, it made sense. Enzo Fernandez stepped up, took over Gallagher’s role, and fit in perfectly next to Caicedo, with Cole Palmer adding that extra spark up front.

Things didn’t get much better for Gallagher in Spain. He barely got a chance at Atleti, lost his spot in the starting eleven, and pretty much ended up on the transfer list before anyone had time to blink. Interest was lukewarm at best until the winter window rolled around. Aston Villa wanted him and went after him pretty aggressively, but then Tottenham swooped in late. Spurs needed someone to patch up the midfield after Bentancur’s injury, so they just paid up—40 million euros, no hesitation.

His start at Tottenham? Rough. Honestly, that was to be expected. He’d played well at Palace before, but after his struggles at Atleti, he needed time to adjust. Sitting on the bench in Spain didn’t do him any favours.

Then Gallagher showed up. People doubted whether he could really add creativity and move the ball forward for Spurs, so his early struggles got people worried. But then came the 2-2 draw against Manchester City. He suddenly looked like the player both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank were so desperate to sign.

Against City, Gallagher flipped the script. He set up a crucial assist, drove play forward on the dribble, and kept drawing fouls—everything the Spurs needed. Defensively, he was all over the place in a good way: two tackles, three interceptions, a full 90 minutes, and a huge part of the Spurs clawing their way back into the game.

Tottenham fans loved it. They saw the effort, the attitude, and the hunger to win. Gallagher just wouldn’t quit, and in that second half, he, Xavi Simons, Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke ran the show. Four of those guys have been carrying Spurs lately, so Gallagher is fitting right in with them. That’s a pretty good sign he’s going to work out just fine in North London.

AC MILAN MEDICAL FAILURE: THE HIDDEN KNEE INJURY THAT CRUSHED MATETA’S £30M MOVE

Jean-Philippe Mateta's £30m move to AC Milan is OFF. Discover why a failed medical has put his France World Cup dreams in jeopardy.

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Mateta’s "dream move" suddenly turned toxic.

Jean Philippe-Mateta’s got a real headache right now. The Crystal Palace striker just watched his £30 million dream move to AC Milan blow up at the last minute, all because a knee problem showed up during his medical.

The thing is, Mateta’s been carrying this injury for a while. Now he’s stuck: should he go under the knife and try to recover in time for the World Cup? He wants to make the France squad this summer, but nothing’s guaranteed. Even if he has surgery, there’s no telling if he’ll be fit enough—or have enough time on the pitch—to convince Didier Deschamps he deserves a spot.

The injury’s been dragging him down anyway. It’s messing with his form and his game time, and he’s worried he won’t get a real shot at proving himself for France if he isn’t at his best.

It’s tough because he’s coming off a fantastic year at Palace. FA Cup winner, big goals, helped the club reach Europe—it’s been a dream run. But now he might have to go back to Selhurst Park, even though he’s made it clear he’s had enough and wants out.

Honestly, it feels like only a matter of time before he leaves. His contract runs out next summer, and Palace can’t risk losing him for nothing. They’ve already watched Marc Guehi go to Man City for a bargain, just because his deal was running down.

Now Mateta has to sit down with Palace and the doctors to figure out what to do about his knee. Surgery would sideline him for months, probably killing his World Cup chances.

He’s gutted about Milan falling through, especially after Juventus cooled their interest and Nottingham Forest had an offer turned down. Over the weekend, he even unfollowed Palace on Instagram and posted a fed-up emoji. No one really knows if he’ll even make the squad for the Brighton game.

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