
Premier League
3:00 p.mMarch 14, 2026
Regular season – 30
Stadium of Light
Referee: Thomas Kirk, England


Sunderland


Brighton
Turn off the spoiler to see match stats
0.85
Expected Goals (xG)
1.46
Passing by
316 (79%)
Accurate passes
365 (79%)
Turn off the spoiler to see the events of the match
31
G
Melker Ellborg
7.3
32
d
Bring out Hume
6.2
15
d
Omar Alderete
7.2
5
d
Daniel Ballard
6.6
6
d
Lotharel Geertruida
6.7
M
Granite Xhaka (C)
7
M
Chemsdine Talbi
6.9
27
M
Noah Sadiki
7.2
19
M
Habib Diarra
6.2
11
M
Chris Rigg
6.2
9
F
Brian Brobbey
6.5
Substitutes
M
Luke O’Nien
21
G
Simon Moore
d
Dennis Cirkin
51
d
Jenson Jones
52
M
Jaydon Jones
50
M
Harrison Jones
53
M
Jack Whittaker
F
Eliezer Mayenda
18
F
Wilson Isidor
1
G
Bart Verbruggen
7.5
24
d
Ferdi Kadioglu
7.2
5
d
Lewis Dunk (C)
7.6
6
d
Jan Paul van Hecke
7.3
27
d
Mats Wieffer
6.9
30
M
Pascal Gross
7.2
20
M
James Milner
7.3
M
Yankuba Minteh
58′
13
M
Jack Hinshelwood
6.2
M
Diego Gomez
18
F
Danny Welbeck
6.6

Premier League Ranking – Premier League
Qualification/Relegation
- Promotion – Champions League (League phase)
- Promotion – Europa League (League phase)
- Relegation – Championship
Yankuba Minteh’s decisive second-half strike secured a hard-fought 1-0 away win for Brighton over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Brighton secured vital Premier League points on March 14, 2026. Winger Yankuba Minteh’s second-half goal proved the difference. Sunderland were left unlucky after a VAR decision disallowed an earlier goal.
The match featured two mid-table teams. Sunderland, 11th, tried to consolidate their Premier League status. Brighton, 14th, aimed for consistency. The Black Cats had three losses in their last five games. Brighton have won two of their last five outings.
The first half at the Estadio de la Llum was curious. Both teams took cautious approaches. Defensive solidity was key. Brighton had a slight advantage in possession with 53% of the ball.
The chances were very slim. Sunderland created few chances, failing to test Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen. Brighton also struggled to break down a resolute Black Cats defence.
The home crowd spurred Sunderland on. Clear scoring opportunities remained elusive. It was half time with the score still 0-0. Everything was left to play.
The second half promised more attacking intentions. A breakthrough seemed imminent. Sunderland were hoping to take home advantage.
Just four minutes after the restart, Sunderland thought they had taken the lead. Chris Rigg’s goal sparked celebrations. However, the VAR intervened in the 49th minute, ruling the effort offside. This was a crushing blow.
Brighton capitalized quickly. Deniz Gomez received a yellow card in the 51st minute. Soon after, Brighton found their breakthrough. Yankuba Minteh made a fine finish in the 58th minute, putting the visitors 1-0 ahead.
Sunderland pushed for an equaliser. Coach Granit Xhaka, with a yellow card in the 76th minute, made tactical changes. Dan Ballard replaced Luke O’Nien in the 64th minute. Sunderland looked for new impetus in attack.
Minteh, the goalscorer, received a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct. Then he was replaced by Maxim De Cuyper. Brighton’s defense held firm against Sunderland’s late efforts.
Brighton’s victory was statistically deserved. They boasted a higher Expected Goals (xG) of 1.46 compared to Sunderland’s 0.85. Both teams scored 4 shots on goal. Brighton, however, created the better quality chances.
This result lifts Brighton above Sunderland in the Premier League table. It provides a major morale boost to the seagulls. Sunderland face the challenge of regaining momentum after this disappointing home defeat.

