Brobbey strikes against Palace to return Sunderland to winning ways

Brian Brobbey's brilliant finish earned Sunderland a first Premier League win in six matches, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.

Yeremy Pino gave Palace fans something to celebrate with a first-half goal as they looked to bounce back from their shock FA Cup exit last weekend, which was followed by news yesterday of the impending departures of captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City next week and head coach Oliver Glasner in the summer.

However, that joy did not last long as Enzo Le Fee drew Sunderland level shortly after that goal, and, from then on, the hosts were in complete control.

Regis Le Bris' men eventually got their reward, with Brobbey delighting the home faithful by sending a stunning right-footed finish in off the bar with 19 minutes remaining.

The Eagles, now winless in 10 matches in all competitions, stay 13th, while Sunderland climbed to eighth after ending their five-game winless run.

How the match unfolded

Despite controlling possession from the off, Sunderland looked vulnerable to the break and fell behind in the 30th minute when Pino found the top-right corner after Robin Roefs failed to sufficiently clear a corner.

Palace were only ahead for three minutes, though, as Le Fee confidently swept Nordi Mukiele's low cross from the right beyond Dean Henderson at the near post.

Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was also linked with a move away by Glasner yesterday, saw a goal ruled out for offside in first-half stoppage time, but Sunderland were on top after the break.

Trai Hume's header forced a save from Henderson before Romaine Mundle had a penalty claim denied after being bundled over by Justin Devenny off the ball.

The Black Cats' continual pressure culminated in Brobbey latching on to a deflected pass in the 71st minute and lifting a clever outside-of-the-boot shot over Henderson.

Palace did not create any chances to snatch a point. Indeed, they needed a fantastic double save from Henderson in the 90th minute to stop Eliezer Mayenda and then Dan Ballard from adding gloss to the scoreline.

Persistence pays off for Sunderland

While the Black Cats had not won any of their prior five matches, they did not play particularly badly during that run, while the 3-0 loss at Brentford last time out was their only defeat during that span.

But back on home soil, where they have not been beaten in now 11 matches all season, what proved to be the difference was that they were able to find the back of the net more than once in a game for the first time since the end of November.

Brobbey was a real nuisance for Palace's defence, with his physicality and hold-up play helping Sunderland pose a continual threat, even if he was limited to only a few shots in front of goal.

Although he missed a far easier chance early in the first half, Brobbey finished the winner with aplomb, before he was substituted with cramp immediately after scoring.

Even before Henderson’s late double save, Sunderland kept the Palace goal under pressure, with Hume’s drive needing to be tipped on to the crossbar by the visiting goalkeeper.

The Black Cats are flying high and will hope to build on this result when they take on West Ham United in a week.

Eagles still sore after bruising week

A difficult period for Palace did not get any better on Saturday. Their FA Cup elimination at Macclesfield last weekend was followed by news that Guehi was reportedly closing in on a deal to Man City and Glasner would depart at the end of the season.

More misery seemed likely to be on the cards when Sunderland quickly took control of proceedings, but Palace showed plenty of character and were good value for their first-half lead when Pino struck.

Although Le Fee quickly pulled Sunderland level, the Eagles could have regained the lead before half-time but Mateta set off too early and saw his goal disallowed for offside. Then Tyrick Mitchell headed narrowly wide.

Palace were less adventurous in the second half, failing to test Roefs at all, and ultimately paid the price, leaving them with problems to solve in the near future, starting with the need to end their disappointing recent run.

Things do not get any easier, with Chelsea their next opponents at Selhurst Park.

Club reports

Sunderland report | Palace report

What the managers said

Oliver Glasner: "I've seen a team that is leaving their heart on the pitch. As you have seen we couldn't make a sub, we had no one on the bench. I can't play many players. They did everything they could. We have 12, 13 players from the squad available."

PL form and fixtures

Key facts

Mukiele’s assist for Le Fee’s goal is the first time that two Frenchmen have combined for a Premier League goal for Sunderland since Steed Malbranque assisted Djibril Cisse v Hull City in December 2008.

Sunderland are one of just two sides yet to lose at home in the Premier League this season (alongside Arsenal), while the Black Cats have avoided defeat across their opening 11 games on home soil (W6 D5) for the first time in the top flight since 2000/01 (12 games).

Three of the last five goals that Sunderland have conceded in the Premier League have been from set-pieces (all from cornera), as many as in their first 18 goals conceded in the competition this season (two from acorner, one from a throw).

Pino has scored in both of his last two games for Palace, with this the first time the Spaniard has netted in successive appearances across all competitions for a side in the big five European leagues (199th appearance – 29 with Crystal Palace, 170 with Villarreal).