Sunderland 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion: More injury woes as Sunderland lose third consecutivehome game

Sunderland lost their third consecutive home Premier League fixture, narrowly losing 1–0 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Yankuba Minteh’s second-half strike, after Chris Rigg had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside, proved the difference at the Stadium of Light.

⏱️ Brighton take the points.#SUNBHA pic.twitter.com/ZhR5EwEwOi

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) March 14, 2026

The Black Cats were dealt more injury woes before kick-off, as Enzo Le Fée and Nilson Angulo were missing from the squad due to injury.

The game started slowly; however, in the seventh minute, Minteh whipped a delicious cross into Jack Hinshelwood, who prodded towards goal and forced a superb reflex save from goalkeeper Melker Ellborg.

Sunderland then had a great chance of their own, which saw Chemsdine Talbi’s volley cleared off the line by Lewis Dunk.

Rigg was Sunderland’s best player in the opening 45 minutes, very positive in his play and rarely wasting the ball – and was nearly rewarded as an acrobatic effort flashed just wide of the post.

Sunderland thought they had taken the lead just after half-time, with Rigg smartly finishing past Bart Verbruggen. However, VAR didn’t take long to review the play and decide Omar Alderete was in an offside position in the build-up.

This sparked Sunderland into life for a few minutes, but it was short-lived as Brighton took the lead themselves.

Minteh squeezed the ball past Ellborg, who was wrong-footed by what looked like a cross-come-shot.

Sunderland were then dealt more misery as Dan Ballard was forced off with discomfort in his hamstring.

Sunderland tried to create openings but in reality never looked like they were going to threaten the Seagulls’ clean sheet, and Brighton ran out winners on Wearside.

My Player of the Match – Chris Rigg:

He was very bright playing in what most would acknowledge is not his favoured position.

He was good in possession and, as always, very willing to work back without the ball.

Hopefully this is the start of his Premier League career.