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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.

VAR REVIEW: CHELSEA 2-2 BOURNEMOUTH, ESTêVãO PENALTY DRAMA EXPLAINED! WAS IT A FOUL OR A DIVE

Explaining the VAR: How an 11th-minute penalty check at Stamford Bridge saved a point for Chelsea against a resilient Bournemouth.

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Antoine Semenyo’s clumsy challenge handed Chelsea a vital lifeline

Every week, the Video Assistant Referee stirs up drama in the Premier League. Let's break down how these calls are made and if they're actually right.

This season, we're digging into the big moments to explain the VAR process and the rules of the game.

What went down: Chelsea's Estêvão was moving into the Bournemouth box, with Antoine Semenyo on his tail. Estêvão went down after some contact with Semenyo. The ref, Barrott, waved off Chelsea's penalty shouts, saying there wasn't a foul. He thought both players made contact naturally as they were running, and Estêvão basically tripped himself.

VAR said, "After looking at it, VAR Pawson suggested Barrott take another look at the monitor for a possible penalty because Semenyo might have tripped Estêvão."

VAR's take: Pawson had to figure out if the contact was just part of the play, like the ref thought, or if Semenyo fouled Estêvão. It was clear Estêvão tripped, but the question was how the contact started.

At first glance, it would be hard for Pawson to disagree with the ref because the main TV angle wasn't clear. But after checking out the sideline and behind views, Pawson saw that Semenyo stepped into Estêvão's path, making enough contact with his leg to cause him to trip.

Pawson told Barrott to check the monitor for a possible penalty. Barrott watched the replays, agreed, and gave Chelsea the penalty.

The call: It was a reasonable VAR call based on today's standards. But it's a borderline case.

Barrott seemed unsure of the monitor and needed some convincing from different angles.

A lot of the time, this kind of contact is just from players running normally, and someone goes down. To give a penalty, there really needs to be a clear foul by the defender. You could say that happened here, but it's a pretty low standard for VAR to get involved.

Chelsea 2-2 AFC Bournemouth

Referee: Sam Barrott

VAR: Craig Pawson

What: VAR check for a foul in the box

When: 11th minute

BREAKING: UNAI EMERY REVEALS THE REAL REASON BEHIND HIS COLD ARTETA HANDSHAKE SNUB NOW

Unai Emery explains why he skipped the post-match handshake as Arsenal’s 4-1 win ends Aston Villa’s 11-game streak at the Emirates.

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Emery snubs Arteta's handshake

Unai Emery said he didn't shake Mikel Arteta's hand right after Aston Villa lost at the Emirates Stadium since the Arsenal manager kept him waiting.

This loss stopped Villa's winning streak at 11 games, their first in almost two months.

Villa held their own in the first half, but Arsenal scored early in the second when Gabriel got to the ball before Emi Martinez on a corner.

Martin Zubimendi quickly made it 2-0, and Leandro Trossard scored a third goal a little after an hour had passed.

Soon after entering the pitch, Gabriel Jesus scored, making it 4-0. Ollie Watkins was able to respond by tapping in a goal late in the game after Donyell Malen's nice play.

After the game, Emery waited to shake Arteta's hand, but he went to the locker room since Arteta was still celebrating with his team.

It’s easy to see. I like to do things fast,” Emery said when asked about why he didn’t shake Arteta’s hand.

“I shake hands, then I go to the dressing room with my players and coaches. I was waiting.

“Arteta was busy with his coaches, so I went inside. It’s not a big deal for me.”

About the match, Emery commented, “We played great in the first half, and things were going our way. We had corners and defended well. We didn’t let them get a corner in the first half.

“We felt good, but we let in the first goal in the second half. Onana getting hurt didn’t help since he’s important for set pieces and in the midfield.

“We didn’t quit, and we kept playing hard. We scored one goal and almost scored more. Arsenal is the best team in the league and should win the title.

“I’m not sure which day it is since we’ve played Arsenal twice already, and we still have to play Nottingham. But I’m happy with our goals and how we're trying to attain them.

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