Brighton & Hove Albion secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, with Yankuba Minteh scoring the decisive goal to hand the visitors all three points.
The game began at a lively pace, with both sides creating chances early on. Jack Hinshelwood came close to giving Brighton the lead, but his effort was brilliantly stopped by Sunderland goalkeeper Melker Ellborg.
Moments later, Brighton captain Lewis Dunk produced a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Chemsdine Talbi after Sunderland threatened at the other end.
The visitors continued to press, with Pascal Groß firing narrowly wide from a corner, while Sunderland pushed forward through Chris Rigg and Brian Brobbey in search of an opener.
Brighton created several more opportunities before the break. Noah Sadiki tested the defence twice, while former Sunderland striker Danny Welbeck set up Hinshelwood, whose effort was again comfortably dealt with by Ellborg.
From another set piece, Jan Paul van Hecke saw his attempt cleared off the line.
Sunderland also enjoyed spells of pressure late in the first half. Habib Diarra delivered a dangerous cross towards Brobbey that was cleared, while Rigg’s overhead kick drifted wide and Lutsharel Geertruida forced Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen into a smart save.
The hosts thought they had taken the lead early in the second half when Rigg found the net, but the goal was ruled out after VAR spotted Omar Alderete offside in the build-up.
Brighton eventually broke the deadlock in the 58th minute. After a corner was only partially cleared, Minteh reacted quickest and squeezed a shot in from a tight angle at the near post to put the Seagulls ahead.
Sunderland pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, but they were dealt a setback when defender Dan Ballard was forced off with an injury.
Trai Hume fired over the bar during a late attack, while Verbruggen produced another fine save to keep out Alderete’s header.
Despite Sunderland’s late pressure, Brighton held firm as Dennis Cirkin sent a stoppage-time effort over the bar.
The result sees Brighton bounce back from last week’s defeat to Arsenal and move onto 40 points, climbing to 10th place in the table. Sunderland, meanwhile, suffered a third consecutive home defeat.
