Premier League: Habib Diarra leads Sunderland as they rise to eighth

Sunderland’s record signing Habib Diarra began to repay his transfer with a leading role as the hosts easily defeated struggling Burnley 3-0 on Monday to move up to eighth in the Premier League standings.

Diarra’s ninth-minute shot was deflected off Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe, and although initially credited to the midfielder, it was later converted into an own goal.

But Diarra, fresh from winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, made sure his name was on the scoresheet with a close-range effort in the 32nd minute, his first goal for Sunderland since moving from Strasbourg in a reported club-record fee of 30 million pounds ($40.99 million).

Chemsdine Talbi scored in the 72nd minute with a long-range strike from outside the penalty area to seal a comfortable win for Sunderland, who remain the only side to have lost a home game in the Premier League this season.

READ: FIFA President Infantino – on banning Russia, awarding Trump a peace prize, boycotting the 2026 World Cup

It was never really threatened by Burnley, who remain second from bottom in the standings, 11 points from safety, and are now without a win in their last 15 league matches as they head towards relegation.

Sunderland’s opening goal at a rainy Stadium of Light, in front of 46,370, saw Diarra get a shot away after Brian Brobbey had put him ahead with a clever touch, and the effort took an unfortunate deflection off Tuanzebe.

TV replays showed Diarra’s shot went wide before Tuanzebe was deflected, so after about 15 minutes it was converted into an own goal, after review by the ‍Goal Accreditation Panel.

Diarra makes a positive impression

There was no doubt about the identity of the second-inning goalscorer as Diarra took advantage of Nordi Mukiele’s pull-back pass from the right wing and fired home from close range.

Diarra was injured in September, not long after arriving in Sunderland, and underwent groin surgery. He returned to action a week before leaving for the Cup of Nations. But since returning from the tournament in Morocco, he has made a positive impression.

Talbi’s spectacular goal was his third of the season and saw Sunderland rise three places to within easy reach of the European places with a ninth league win of the season.

«We want to get to the top. If we can get to the top six or top five. There are still a lot of games to come, so we have to focus on the next game,» said Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki.

Burnley failed to get a single shot on target in the match and with the games drawing to a close, a return to the second Championship looks more likely.

Published on February 3, 2026