Sunderland climbed off the foot of the Premier League table and raised hopes of a revival in their dismal form with a narrow but deserved and hugely spirited win against Chelsea.

The Black Cats had to ride waves of pressure in the second half to keep a clean sheet and get over the line but for all their play and at times their threat, Chelsea struggled to create clear chances with Robin Roefs rarely tested.

Sunderland's first-half lead was hard fought but deserved, Enzo Le Fee scoring from the penalty spot as Brian Brobbey tormented his opposition centre backs. The points are crucial for Sunderland and Regis Le Bris but more important was the heart and the performance. Sunderland looked like Sunderland again.

It was an afternoon that could hardly have got off to a worse start for Sunderland, Granit Xhaka almost immediately signalling to the dugout that he would have to come off from an injury. It appeared like a portent for a stormy afternoon ahead but to the home side's credit, that was not the case. A little raw in some aspects of his game he may be, but Jules Ahoka is combative and energetic and started well. Reassuringly for the home support, Sunderland looked like Sunderland again.

Chelsea dominated possession but Sunderland's structure was good, and they had the best moments on the break. They ought to have taken the lead when Chemsdine Talbi whipped an excellent cross into the heart of the box from the left, but Brobbey steered wide with the goal gaping.

The Black Cats did have to ride one spell of Chelsea pressure as O'Nien appeared to foul Cole Palmer but the referee waved appeals for a penalty away and to Sunderland's relief, VAR ruled the contact was outside the box. Shortly afterwards, Rogers rose above Meunier at the back post but headed a cross from Palestra wide.

Brobbey's finishing continued to frustrate but Sunderland could take heart from his dominance against the centre backs, the striker bursting through on goal but firing wide on his weaker foot after narrowing the angle when going round the goalkeeper. Shortly afterwards, however, he got the better of Colwill and was dragged to the ground. VAR confirmed the decision and Le Fee stepped up to send Penders the wrong way. It was a half time lead Sunderland thoroughly deserved, firmly back to the pillars that brought them to seventh last season.

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As anticipated, Chelsea continued to dominate possession as the second half unfolded even if Roefs continued to be very well protected by a strong Sunderland defence. Chances had been at a premium for the hosts even if they began to look more dangerous in the game, and the question was whether Sunderland would be able to maintain the intensity and energy levels that had kept the opposition at bay.

It was actually Sunderland who had the biggest chance of the half with just over ten minutes to play, a pass from Le Fee running kindly for Isidor's whose close-range effort was saved well by Penders.

The Black Cats did survive one late chance when Welbeck met a brilliant free kick from Estevao, but the striker could only head over the bar. Sunderland held on for an exhausting but priceless win.