Brian Brobbey headed home the winner as Sunderland completed a stirring comeback to beat 10-man Bournemouth 3-2 at the Stadium of Light, keeping their unbeaten home record in the Premier League.
Bournemouth started explosively, taking a 2-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes. Evanilson struck the crossbar and Amine Adli was quickest to react and poke in the opener. Tyler Adams then produced a spectacular 47-yard strike — his 50th appearance — spotting goalkeeper Robin Roefs off his line and drilling a superb long-range effort into the net.
Sunderland reduced the deficit before half-time when Alex Scott clipped Reinildo in the box; after a VAR review the penalty decision stood and Enzo Le Fée calmly dispatched the spot-kick to revive the hosts.
The momentum swung instantly after the interval. Within a minute of the restart Bertrand Traoré finished low following excellent combination play, with Granit Xhaka producing a disguised pass that created the chance. Less than 10 minutes later Brobbey completed the turnaround, nodding in from a corner to make it 3-2.
The match remained heated to the final whistle: Lewis Cook was sent off with a straight red late on for elbowing Reinildo in added time, and officials issued ten yellow cards in addition to the red, with tensions high around both benches. The defeat left Bournemouth without a win in November, while Sunderland climbed into the top four for the weekend.
Team news: Sunderland made two changes to their recent line-up, bringing in Omar Alderete and Chemsdine Talbi with Trai Hume and Lutsharel Geertruida named among the substitutes. Bournemouth made three changes, including the return of Antonie Semenyo alongside Adam Smith and Amine Adli.
Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola was critical of the officiating after the game, saying the referee had “absolutely lost control of the game” following the penalty decision and the subsequent incidents. He also pointed to errors from set-pieces and the penalty as pivotal moments that shifted momentum, and warned of the impact of suspensions: David Brooks and Marcos Senesi face one-match bans after accumulating five yellow cards, while Lewis Cook will start a three-match suspension for the straight red.
Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris praised his players and supporters after the win: “A great afternoon for our fans, for our players and the club. Starting the game 2-0 down and being able to win this game shows great character.” He also singled out Xhaka’s influence: “Granit is so important for us… he gives us his knowledge but also this willingness to change the game.”
Player of the Match: Granit Xhaka.
Selected brief ratings — Sunderland: Roefs 6, Mukiele 7, Ballard 7, Reinildo 6, Alderete 6, Traoré 7, Xhaka 8, Le Fée 6, Brobbey 7. Bournemouth: Petrovic 6, Smith 6, Diakité 6, Senesi 6, Truffert 7, Adams 6, Scott 5, Semenyo 7, Adli 6, Evanilson 5.
Sunderland’s dramatic comeback added another memorable result to their return to the top flight, while Bournemouth must regroup quickly ahead of upcoming fixtures with several key players facing suspension.