Yankuba Minteh’s Goal Elevates Brighton to Premier League Top Half
Brighton edged Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light thanks to a scruffy second-half strike from Yankuba Minteh. The goal moved Brighton above Sunderland into the Premier League top half on goal difference. Sunderland suffered a third successive home defeat.
How the goal came about
Minteh squeezed a low ball past goalkeeper Melker Ellborg at the near post. He was off balance and looked like he intended to cross. The winger was making his first start of 2026, with Kaoru Mitoma absent.
Habib Diarra was on the ground when the goal went in, adding to the confusion. A push by Lewis Dunk was reviewed but not judged a foul. VAR also cleared a potential offside by Jan Paul van Hecke, who obstructed the goalkeeper’s view while Granit Xhaka played on.
Sunderland reaction and key moments
Sunderland had a goal ruled out earlier. Chris Rigg’s finish from Omar Alderete’s nod down was chalked off for offside. Ellborg produced a fine first-half leg save to deny Jack Hinshelwood at close range.
Brighton captain Dunk cleared a goalbound effort from Chemsdine Talbi in the first half. Sunderland managed 14 shots but could not find the net. Dan Ballard was forced off, raising fitness concerns ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby.
Manager and player comments
Yankuba Minteh called it the strangest goal he had ever scored and said he had intended to cross. Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler described the win as partly lucky. He praised his squad’s togetherness and defensive control after the goal.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris stressed injuries and squad youth. He said the Premier League is relentless and that the group must stay strong. A former pundit warned that Sunderland have lost their spark and must respond quickly.
Statistics and implications
Sunderland sit on 40 points after this defeat. Brighton also have 40 points but leapfrogged Sunderland into 10th place on goal difference. The victory was Brighton’s second successive Premier League away win for the first time since late last season.
| Score | Stadium | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|
| Sunderland 0–1 Brighton | Stadium of Light | Yankuba Minteh |
- Sunderland’s Premier League record in 2026: 12 points (W3 D3 L6).
- Only Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and Tottenham have fewer points in 2026.
- Minteh ended a 20-game league drought with the winner.
Brighton’s win will be seen as timely. Sunderland must regroup before their trip to Newcastle next weekend. Filmogaz.com will follow team news ahead of the derby.
