Sunderland suffered three straight home defeats, but Brighton benefited from a poor second-half strike from Yankuba Minte to win 1-0 and leapfrog the hosts into the top half of the Premier League.
Minte stunned the Stadium of Light by pushing the ball past Sunderland goalkeeper Melcar Elborg at his near post. The winger, who was making his first start in 2026 in the absence of Kaoru Mitoma, lost his balance and was almost certainly aiming for a cross.
Adding to the confusion, Sunderland’s Khabib Diarra was lying on the ground when the goal was scored. He was furious that Lewis Dunk’s apparent push was not deemed worthy of a foul by the referees, but the midfielder appeared to have made the most of the minimal contact.
The incident was checked by VAR and home team captain Granit Xhaka continued to play despite Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke blocking Sunderland goalkeeper Elborg’s view and potentially being offside.
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Yankuba Minte found the smallest gap for Sunderland to score against Brighton and Hove.
Sunderland, whose goal was ruled out by VAR for offside 10 minutes into the game, needed action after a shock FA Cup defeat to League One strugglers Port Vale, but they disappointed their supporters ahead of next Sunday’s Tyne Wear derby.
Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg thought he had scored his first Premier League goal when he found the back of the net from Omar Alderete’s nod four minutes after the restart, but it was chalked off as the defender veered offside.
Elborg may have been responsible for Brighton’s goal, but he made a super save with his feet to deny Jack Hinshelwood from close range in the first half. Brighton wished Minte luck after ending a 20-game drought in the league.
Sunderland’s Chris Rigg reacts after his goal was ruled out by VAR for offside
Yankuba Minte celebrates win against Sunderland
Brighton captain Dunk returned from a short spell to start his 500th game for the club, and despite coming off Kemsuddin Talbi’s line in the first half and having 14 shots on goal, Sunderland came closest all afternoon.
Regis Le Bris’ side, who entered mid-February unbeaten at the Stadium of Light, have now lost three in a row at home and head to Newcastle next week with their heads down after Dan Ballard’s red card and question marks over their fitness.
Brighton are level with Sunderland on 40 points and have surpassed Sunderland on goal difference to move into 10th place after recording consecutive away wins in the Premier League for the first time since the end of last season.
Merce: Sunderland have lost their luster
Sky Sports’ Paul Merson talks about Saturday’s football:
“It would be quite a shock if they kept going and beat Newcastle. It looks like it’s hitting them hard now, but it’s a completely different game. It’s one of those one-off games.”
“If they don’t stand up for it, they’re not going to stand up. I’m not saying they won’t stand up, but they just don’t have that spark anymore.”
“I watched them early in the season and they were very good, really good players playing at the top of their ability.
“That’s not the case anymore. They’re starting to look heavy. We just don’t want the season to end prematurely.”
Minte: The weirdest goal I’ve ever scored
Brighton goalscorer Yankuba Minte:
“I wanted to cross the ball, but it just hit the net. I’ll take it!”
“This is the weirdest goal I’ve ever scored!”
Haseler: We deserved to be lucky.
Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler:
“We played really well in the first half. Our finishing wasn’t efficient or effective. In the second half, we struggled in the first few minutes, but then the goals came out of nowhere.
“It was a little bit of luck, but we deserved it and we defended well and controlled the game after that. I’m very happy with how the group stayed together.”
“Not everything was perfect, but we showed good cohesion and found a way to overcome difficult situations.”
Le Bris: We must learn how to deal with ‘relentless’ PL
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris:
“We want to do well but we have some injuries. We have a small group but it gives the young players an opportunity to step up.
“For a young team like ours in these difficult times – again, with injuries, we won against Leeds a week ago – but we have to stay strong and show great cohesion and we need support, otherwise there will be no progress.”
“This league is unforgiving. Every week we play against big teams that are well-organized and have different qualities. We need to learn.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a difficult time. Last week we reached 40 points. It’s normal to be disappointed when you lose.”
