SPORTS DIGEST: Week of 20-26 October 2025
Sunderland’s Chemsdine Talbi struck three minutes into stoppage time to stun Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in the weekend’s most dramatic finish, while Harlequins Women launched their PWR season with a 14-try thriller under the Friday Night Lights at Twickenham Stoop.
Talbi breaks Chelsea hearts with 93rd-minute stunner
Chelsea – Premier League
Chelsea 1-2 Sunderland (Stamford Bridge) – Saturday, 25 October
Chemsdine Talbi emerged as Sunderland’s unlikely hero, striking three minutes into stoppage time to deliver a stunning 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge and end Chelsea’s four-match winning streak.
The 20-year-old Morocco international strode unmarked into the box to sweep home after Brian Brobbey’s hold-up play, sparking delirious scenes amongst the away supporters in the Shed End. Chelsea had taken the lead after just four minutes through Alejandro Garnacho’s first goal for the club, but Wilson Isidor equalized in the 22nd minute after Nordi Mukiele’s long throw caused chaos in the Chelsea box.
Despite dominating possession at 70%, the Blues couldn’t find a winner as goalkeeper Robin Roefs and Sunderland’s defensive discipline frustrated them repeatedly. The victory lifted Sunderland to second in the Premier League table, while Chelsea slipped to seventh, their home fortress breached in heartbreaking fashion.
Rugby union
Harlequins Women launch PWR season with 14-try spectacular
Harlequins Women – Premiership Women’s Rugby
Harlequins Women 52-42 Loughborough Lightning (Twickenham Stoop) – Friday, 24 October
Under the Friday Night Lights at Twickenham Stoop, Harlequins Women announced their championship intentions with a breathtaking 52-42 demolition of Loughborough Lightning in the PWR season opener.
The hosts ran in seven tries in a pulsating encounter that saw 14 scores in total, with Abbie Fleming, Beth Wilcock and Lauren Torley crossing early to establish dominance. World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne orchestrated proceedings from fullback while England captain Jade Konkel provided the power platform up front.
Lightning refused to buckle, with World Cup star Sadia Kabeya and captain Daisy Hibbert-Jones leading fierce resistance that saw them score six tries of their own. Nicole Wythe, Claudia Pena, Sara Konkel and Hannah Sims completed Harlequins’ try tally as the match ebbed and flowed throughout, with Pena’s boot adding five conversions.
The victory launches head coach Ross Chisholm’s tenure in spectacular fashion after welcoming back a host of international stars from World Cup duty, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling PWR campaign.
Harlequins demolish Newcastle in eight-try rout
Harlequins – Gallagher Premiership
Harlequins 52-14 Newcastle Red Bulls (Twickenham Stoop) – Saturday, 25 October
Harlequins put on a breathtaking attacking display at the Twickenham Stoop, running in eight tries to crush Newcastle Red Bulls and climb away from the bottom of the Gallagher Premiership table.
The hosts led 35-0 at half-time following a ruthless opening period that saw Luke Northmore, Tyrone Green twice, Will Porter and Rodrigo Isgro all cross the whitewash, with Marcus Smith converting all five scores. Green grabbed his second early in the second half to complete his brace, before further tries from Will Evans, Cassius Cleaves and George Turner completed the rout. Smith’s immaculate boot converted six scores, punishing Newcastle for every defensive lapse.
The Red Bulls managed late consolation tries through Ollie Leatherbarrow and Murray McCallum, both converted by Brett Connon, but by then the damage was long done. Newcastle’s head coach Alan Dickens admitted his side were “well short of the required cohesion levels” in a chastening afternoon at the Stoop.
Football
Late heartbreak for Fulham at St. James’ Park
Fulham FC – Premier League
Newcastle United 2-1 Fulham (St. James’ Park) – Saturday, 25 October
Bruno Guimarães denied Fulham a deserved point with a cruel 90th-minute winner, continuing the Cottagers’ struggles away from home. Jacob Murphy opened the scoring in the 18th minute after robbing Calvin Bassey of possession and firing a precise finish in off the left-hand post.
Fulham battled back after the break, with Sasa Lukic heading home in the 56th minute following another chaotic moment from Kenny Tete’s cross and Raul Jimenez’s crossbar-rattling effort. The visitors matched Newcastle throughout and goalkeeper Bernd Leno produced heroics to keep them level, denying Sandro Tonali with an outstanding save.
However, substitute Will Osula’s energy proved decisive, his shot rebounding to Guimarães who slotted home on the rebound to clinch Newcastle’s third win of the season. The defeat was Fulham’s fourth successive Premier League loss, extending their miserable run and leaving them 16th in the table.
Promotion hopes dented for Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon – League One
AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Burton Albion (Cherry Red Records Stadium) – Saturday, 25 October
League One strugglers Burton produced a shock result at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, with Alex Hartridge’s 50th-minute header ending AFC Wimbledon’s unbeaten run. The Dons dominated possession and created the better chances, winning a 32nd-minute penalty after Hartridge’s poorly-timed challenge on Omar Bugiel.
However, Bugiel’s limp spot-kick was saved by Brad Collins, and Myles Hippolyte blasted the rebound against the post. Burton made Wimbledon pay for that miss just five minutes into the second half when Charlie Webster’s sublime free-kick delivery found Hartridge, who powered his header into the top-right corner.
The defeat was a double blow for Johnnie Jackson’s side, who saw their four-match unbeaten run ended and their promotion push stall, while Burton celebrated a crucial victory in their relegation battle.
Coming up next week
Monday 27 October – Sunday 2 November:
- Premier League: Fulham host Wolves (Saturday), Chelsea travel to West Ham (Sunday)
- Gallagher Premiership: Harlequins host Saracens in London derby showdown
- PWR: Harlequins Women away to Saracens (Sunday)
- League One: AFC Wimbledon away to Stockport County (Saturday)
Story of the week
Sunderland’s Chemsdine Talbi wrote himself into Black Cats folklore with a 93rd-minute winner at Stamford Bridge. The 20-year-old’s composed finish lifted Sunderland to second in the Premier League and sent the traveling support into raptures while leaving Chelsea stunned in their own backyard.
