Brian Brobbey scored the winner as Sunderland completed a dramatic comeback to beat 10-man Bournemouth 3-2 at the Stadium of Light, maintaining their unbeaten home record in the Premier League.
Bournemouth raced into a 2-0 lead inside 15 minutes. Evanilson’s effort struck the crossbar and Amine Adli was on hand to poke home the opener. Tyler Adams then produced a spectacular 47-yard strike for his 50th appearance, spotting goalkeeper Robin Roefs off his line and finding the net with a superb long-range hit.
Sunderland pulled a goal back before half-time when they were awarded a penalty after Alex Scott clipped Reinildo; following a VAR review the spot-kick stood. Enzo Le Fée calmly converted from the spot to give the hosts belief.
Within a minute of the restart Sunderland equalised. Bertrand Traoré finished low after excellent interplay involving Granit Xhaka, who played a disguised pass to create the chance. The turnaround was completed less than 10 minutes after Traoré’s goal when Brobbey nodded home from a corner to make it 3-2.
Late drama continued as Lewis Cook was shown a straight red for elbowing Reinildo in added time. The match featured ten yellow cards in total, plus the red, and tension on the touchlines. The defeat left Bournemouth winless in November and saw Sunderland move into the top four for the weekend.
Team news: Sunderland made two changes from recent line-ups, bringing Omar Alderete and Chemsdine Talbi into the starting XI with Trai Hume and Lutsharel Geertruida on the bench. Bournemouth made three changes, including the return of Antonie Semenyo, alongside Adam Smith and Amine Adli.
Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola criticised the referee after the defeat, saying the official “absolutely lost control of the game” following the penalty decision and subsequent events. He added that mistakes on set-pieces and the penalty shifted momentum and left his side frustrated. Iraola also noted the cost of forthcoming suspensions: David Brooks and Marcos Senesi face one-game bans for accumulating five yellow cards, while Lewis Cook will begin a three-match ban for the straight red.
Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris praised his players and the home crowd: “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 highlighted the stadium’s energy and Granit 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 was Granit Xhaka. Brief ratings (selected): 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 comeback added another memorable result to their return to the top flight, while Bournemouth will regroup ahead of upcoming fixtures with key players suspended.