Brighton ended a 45-year wait for a win at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, edging the Black Cats 1-0 and extending their unbeaten streak against promoted Premier League sides to 12 matches. Sunderland, in contrast, suffered their third straight home defeat.
Brighton came close early, with Jack Hinshelwood denied by an excellent Melker Ellborg save from a cross by Yankuba Minteh in the ninth minute. The Seagulls continued to create opportunities, but Lewis Dunk cleared Chemsdine Talbi’s header off the line, and Hinshelwood’s follow-up attempt lacked precision.
Sunderland’s chances were limited, with Bart Verbruggen making routine saves from Omar Alderete and Lutsharel Geertruida, while a VAR intervention disallowed a Chris Rigg goal for offside.
The decisive moment arrived just before the hour mark. Minteh capitalized on a cleared corner, sprinted to the byline, and delivered a cross that swerved past Ellborg into the net, giving Brighton the lead.
Despite late pressure from Sunderland, including efforts from Trai Hume, Diego Gomez, and Alderete, Brighton held on to claim the narrow victory.
The win lifts Brighton above Sunderland on goal difference, with both clubs now recording 10 wins, 10 draws, and 10 losses from 30 matches this season.
