Premier League: O’Nien Explains How Sunderland Stunned Chelsea

Sunderland captain Luke O’Nien says his side rediscovered the defensive discipline and aggressive approach that brought them success last season to secure a crucial 1-0 Premier League victory over Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

The Black Cats ended a seven-match winless run in the league despite losing captain Granit Xhaka to a calf injury in the fourth minute.

Enzo Le Fee’s 36th-minute penalty proved decisive, but O’Nien believes Sunderland’s improved organisation and intensity were the real difference.

“Success leaves clues,” the 31-year-old told Flashscore in the mixed zone.

“How were we successful last season to now? What are we not quite doing? The evidence is when we watch the games back. It’s really, really clear sometimes.

“So, today we’re really, really tight. We’re a lot tighter, we’re a little bit more aggressive at the same time.”

O’Nien admitted that Sunderland’s recent struggles were not necessarily caused by a lack of effort, but stressed the importance of learning from their performances and continuing to improve.

“Sometimes all the effort’s there and we don’t get the result. And then, again, you just have to look at it and go, right, let’s try this, let’s get better at this, let’s keep working individually, collectively,” he added.

“You keep doing that, you keep compounding that, again, performances like that happen.”