Sunderland secured their first Premier League victory since August by beating Chelsea 1-0 at the Stadium of Light, while Liverpool moved into fourth place with a 3-1 win over bottom side Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Enzo Le Fee scored the only goal of the game on Wearside, converting a 36th-minute penalty after sending Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders the wrong way.
Referee Jarred Gillett awarded the spot-kick after deciding that Chelsea defender Levi Colwill had pulled down Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey during a tussle inside the penalty area.
The victory was only Sunderland’s second league win of the campaign and their sixth in all competitions. Regis Le Bris’s side moved off the foot of the table, although they remain in the bottom three.
Chelsea, managed by Xabi Alonso and still without injured captain Reece James, have now lost two of their past three league matches. The Blues remain fifth and missed the opportunity to move into the Champions League places.
Liverpool responded to their midweek European defeat by Fenerbahce with a convincing victory over Palace, who suffered a fourth successive league loss.
Palace came close to taking the lead when winger Yeremy Pino struck the crossbar from close range. Jørgen Strand Larsen also found the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Liverpool went ahead in the 40th minute when Alexis Mac Allister headed home from a free-kick routine.
Florian Wirtz increased the visitors’ advantage nine minutes after the interval, finishing from a pass by summer signing Bradley Barcola.
Alexander Isak then added Liverpool’s third in the 89th minute, slotting the ball past the Palace goalkeeper for his seventh league goal of the season, according to Liverpool FC.
Palace were given a late chance to reduce the deficit after defender Milos Kerkez was penalised. Substitute Eddie Nketiah, who replaced Strand Larsen in the 72nd minute and is of Ghanaian heritage, converted from the penalty spot with the final kick of stoppage time.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker made six saves during the match as Andoni Iraola’s side climbed to fourth. The Reds are nine points behind leaders Arsenal.
Pierre Sage’s Crystal Palace remain bottom of the table, with seven points from a possible 30.
