Player ratings: Sunderland 1-0 Chelsea — Le Fee penalty secures win on 8 November 2026

Sunderland beat Chelsea 1-0 in a Premier League match on 8 November 2026 when Enzo Le Fee converted a penalty to decide the game; the result was Sunderland's second league win of the season and their first since August, lifting them off the bottom of the table.

The only goal arrived from the spot after referee intervention; VAR reviewed other incidents including contact between Luke O'Nien and Cole Palmer that was judged to have occurred outside the box. Granit Xhaka left the field injured after less than three minutes and was replaced early on by Jules Ahoka. BBC Sport published player ratings for both sides and collected user scores, with the displayed numbers representing averages from those submissions.

Sunderland's goalkeeper Robin Roefs was given a 7 and was described as rarely tested while dealing comfortably with the chances he faced. At full-back Thomas Meunier earned an 8 for disciplined marking of Morgan Rogers and a superb tackle in the second half; Nordi Mukiele returned at centre-back and was rated 7 for his presence. Trai Hume and Noah Sadiki both received 7s for defensive work and midfield discipline respectively, while Reinildo Mandava was also rated 7 after a busy afternoon down his flank.

The Sunderland attack featured Enzo Le Fee (7) whose penalty sent goalkeeper Mike Penders the wrong way, and Chemsdine Talbi (7) who supplied a notable cross to create a chance for Brian Brobbey. Brobbey himself was rated 8 for physical presence and aerial dominance, having scuffed an early effort but later growing into the game. Jules Ahoka, introduced on four minutes for Xhaka, was given a 7 after being booked shortly after coming on but contributing in midfield.

On Chelsea's side goalkeeper Mike Penders was rated 6; he conceded from the penalty but made a strong save from Wilson Isador later in the match. Marco Palestra and Wesley Fofana were each given 6s, while Levi Colwill received a 4 after what the ratings described as a difficult afternoon; the report said he failed to deal with Brian Brobbey, was booked and was taken off at half-time. Pep Chavarria was rated 6, credited with an excellent early block and a dangerous cross.

Chelsea midfield and forward ratings included Moises Caicedo 5 for a largely anonymous spell before shifting to a makeshift centre-back role, Romeo Lavia 6, Jordan Henderson 5 on his return to the starting line-up, and Cole Palmer 6 for a probing drive into the penalty area where contact was judged to be outside the box. Morgan Rogers and Pedro Neto were both rated 5, with Neto substituted in the 62nd minute.

Chelsea substitutes Estevao Willian (on 46 for Colwill) was rated 6 for showing threat after coming on; Danny Welbeck (on 62 for Neto) received a 6 for adding presence and producing a glancing header; Malo Gusto (on 62 for Palestra) was rated 6 in what the piece notes was his 100th Premier League appearance. Sunderland used Wilson Isador (on 67 for Brobbey, 6) and Rigg (on 88 for Le Fee); unused Sunderland subs were Ellborg, Danso, Methalie, Tutierov and Fofana, while Chelsea's unused subs were Sharman-Lowe, Anselmino, Nicoll-Jazuli and Barco.

The ratings summary notes that after the opportunity to rate players closed, the scores displayed are the averages of all submissions by BBC Sport users; the match outcome moved Sunderland off the bottom of the league table and represented their first league victory since August and their second of the season.