Sunderland secures Europa League spot with 2-1 win over Chelsea

Sunderland became only the fifth side in Premier League history to qualify for Europe in the first season after promotion after beating Chelsea 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday.

A volley from Trai Hume in the 25th minute and an own goal from ‌Malo Gusto in the second half lifted Sunderland to seventh place in the table. Cole Palmer pulled one back for Chelsea, with Wesley Fofana sent off.

Sunderland will join Bournemouth, who drew 1-1 at Nottingham Forest, in the Europa League next season, with Chelsea missing out on Europe entirely.

The place in the Conference League went to Brighton & Hove Albion in eighth place, despite a 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United.

United, whose talisman Bruno Fernandes scored a goal and provided a record-breaking 21st assist of the season, had completed Champions League qualification, as had champions Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa. Liverpool got the point they needed to be mathematically certain with a 1-1 draw at home to Brentford.

Crystal Palace can also qualify for next season’s Europa League if they beat Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final in Leipzig on Wednesday.

Sunderland last played in Europe in the 1973-74 Cup Winners’ Cup, but after an excellent return season to the top flight under coach Regis Le Bris, the country has a lot to look forward to next season.

Bournemouth, who played in the third tier of English football 13 years ago, will play in Europe for the first time in their history after Marcus Tavernier’s second-half equalizer earned a point at Forest in coach Andoni Iraola’s last game in charge.

Before kick-off there was an outside chance of Champions League football for Bournemouth if other results opened up a sixth qualifying position for English clubs, but that evaporated with Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over Manchester City.

Published on May 25, 2026