Brobbey wins Colwill battle - player ratings for Sunderland's win over Chelsea

Chelsea suffered a shocking 1-0 loss to Premier League strugglers Sunderland on Sunday, while Liverpool rebounded with a 3-1 triumph against Crystal Palace. Xabi Alonso's Chelsea arrived at Sunderland hoping to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the Champions League via a top-four finish. However, they departed with their heads hanging low after an embarrassing defeat to third-bottom Sunderland, who had only managed to secure a league victory for the second time this season.

Chelsea had already been defeated four times in their previous 10 league matches under former Real Madrid boss Alonso. The goal came in the 36th minute when Enzo Le Fee converted a penalty after Brian Brobbey was taken down by Levi Colwill, a decision that infuriated Chelsea manager Alonso. Liverpool, on the other hand, had suffered recent setbacks, losing to Arsenal in the Premier League and Fenerbahce in the Champions League, prompting questions about new manager Andoni Iraola's first season in charge.

But Alexis Mac Allister gave Liverpool the lead with a header from Dominik Szoboszlai's cross in the 40th minute. Florian Wirtz equalized for Liverpool with a composed finish from Bradley Barcola's cross in the 54th minute, scoring his first league goal this season and only his second in all competitions this term. Alexander Isak sealed the victory for Liverpool with a goal in the 89th minute, ending a two-game losing streak for the Reds.

It marked Liverpool's fourth consecutive away league win this season. Palace manager Pierre Sage, who was brought in to replace Oliver Glasner in the off-season, now faces the possibility of being sacked after his team suffered their seventh defeat in 10 league matches. Brighton extended their impressive start to the season, claiming a 2-0 victory over Brentford at the Amex Stadium.

Fabian Hurzeler's side, while not likely to challenge Arsenal for the title, have established themselves as contenders for a Champions League spot. Diego Gomez opened the scoring for Brighton with a 25-yard rocket in the 15th minute, and Brentford striker Igor Thiago was sent off for a foul on Chema Andres midway through the first half.

Pascal Gross added a second goal for Brighton in the 42nd minute after Keane Lewis-Potter fouled Luka Vuskovic. The Seagulls' six wins in their last seven league games lifted them above third-placed Manchester City and within five points of Premier League champions Arsenal, who defeated Hull on Saturday. Evanilson continued his impressive form as Bournemouth's Brazilian forward scored in the fifth minute, becoming the first player to achieve seven goals in his last eight games.

An own goal by Leif Davis in the 46th minute extended Bournemouth's lead, and Jack Clarke's penalty in the 73rd minute wasn't enough to secure a point for Ipswich. In the final match of the day, Manchester United manager Michael Carrick faces the pressure of keeping his job ahead of the international break, with United having lost their last seven league games and only winning once in the top-flight this term.

United ended a nine-match winless run in all competitions with a 3-2 victory over Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday.