Sunderland Secures Comeback Victory Over Crisis-Hit Crystal Palace, Deepening Eagles’ Relegation Fears

Sunderland secured a crucial 2-1 comeback victory against Crystal Palace at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, January 17, 2026, extending their dream season while simultaneously deepening the crisis for a struggling Palace side now without a win in 10 games across all competitions. The Black Cats’ resilience saw them overturn an early deficit, adding three vital points to their Premier League tally and pushing them further away from the relegation zone, while Crystal Palace finds itself in a precarious position, grappling with internal turmoil and a concerning lack of form.

The match began with Crystal Palace showing early intent, and their efforts were rewarded in the 30th minute when Yeremy Pino capitalized on a corner, delivering a delicate lobbed finish into the far top corner past Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs. The lead, however, was short-lived. Just three minutes later, Sunderland responded emphatically. Brilliant play down the right flank from Nordi Mukiele saw his cross perfectly pick out Enzo Le Fee, who swept home a lovely low effort to level the score. The first half continued with end-to-end action, including a superb save by Roefs to deny Jean-Philippe Mateta, who also had a magnificent half-volley disallowed for offside later in the game, highlighting Palace’s attacking threat despite their struggles.

Sunderland’s Resurgence and Record-Breaking Home Form

Entering the second half, Sunderland emerged with renewed vigor, pushing for a winner. Their persistence paid off in the 71st minute when Brian Brobbey, a significant boost to the squad after returning to fitness, did magnificently to shrug off his marker. He then flicked Noah Sidiki’s pass over Dean Henderson and in off the underside of the crossbar, securing a deserved winner for the Black Cats. This goal marked a pivotal moment, not only sealing the victory but also ending Sunderland’s five-match winless run in the Premier League and registering their first league win since their Tyne-Wear derby triumph in mid-December.

The victory propelled Sunderland to 33 points, reinforcing their position in the league and underscoring their impressive campaign as a newly promoted side. Their performance at the Stadium of Light has been particularly noteworthy; the win against Palace means they have now equaled Ipswich Town’s 11-match unbeaten home record by a newly promoted Premier League side, a feat last achieved by the Tractor Boys back in the 1992-93 season. Should they avoid defeat at home to Burnley in February, Sunderland will set a new 12-match unbeaten home record, a testament to Regis Le Bris’ tactical prowess and the team’s fighting spirit. Furthermore, Sunderland has now gained 16 points from losing positions this term, more than they have in any other Premier League season, and more than any other promoted club since West Brom in 2010-11. Only high-flying Aston Villa has come from behind to pick up more points in the current 2025-26 season.

Crystal Palace: A Club in Turmoil

For Crystal Palace, the defeat at Sunderland represents another chapter in what is rapidly becoming a deeply troubling season. The Eagles are now without a win in 10 games across all competitions, a run that has seen them accumulate only 28 points in the league and exit the FA Cup at the hands of sixth-tier Macclesfield FC. The atmosphere around Selhurst Park is reportedly fraught with uncertainty, with manager Oliver Glasner confirming his departure at the end of his contract this summer. Adding to the instability, captain Marc Guehi is reportedly on the verge of a move to Manchester City, with other key players like star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta also linked with transfers in the January window or the upcoming summer.

The club’s predicament is further compounded by a perceived ‘rudderless direction,’ as highlighted by NBC Sports. Despite working hard to build a tight-knit squad, the pressures of juggling European action, a common pitfall for overachieving teams (recalling the experiences of Swansea City and Burnley), appear to have taken their toll. With key leadership figures potentially departing and a manager who has publicly announced his exit, there is a tangible sense of unease. While 11 points currently separate Palace from the bottom three, their current form, player availability issues, and the looming fixtures against teams towards the bottom of the table suggest that relegation talk, though perhaps premature, could become a very real concern by late February. The team appears to have completely run out of steam, struggling to find the energy and direction needed to navigate the demanding Premier League schedule.

Looking Ahead

Both teams face challenging fixtures in the coming week. Sunderland will look to continue their momentum as they travel to West Ham on Saturday, January 24. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace will hope to stem the tide of their dismal form when they host Chelsea at Selhurst Park on Sunday, January 25, a match that could either offer a much-needed reprieve or plunge them deeper into crisis.

The stark contrast in trajectories for Sunderland and Crystal Palace underscores the unpredictable nature of the Premier League. Sunderland’s ability to grind out results and leverage their home advantage, even as a newly promoted side, demonstrates a cohesive unit thriving under pressure, while Palace’s rapid descent illustrates how quickly internal instability, compounded by poor results, can derail a season, pushing a team from European aspirations to a desperate fight for survival.