LONDON: Sunderland climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone by coming from behind to beat Chelsea 3-2 on Saturday.

The Black Cats were 2-1 down at home to Chelsea, last season’s champions, before two goals in three second-half minutes from Fabio Borini and Jermain Defoe dramatically turned the match their way.

Sunderland fell behind in the 14th minute through striker Diego Costa.

But they were level four minutes before the break when Tunisia’s Wahbi Khazri struck a brilliant 20-yard volley.

However, there was still time for Chelsea to regain the lead before half-time through Nemanja Matic.

Borini then turned in Patrick van Aanholt’s cut-back in the 67th minute and Defoe made it 3-2 when he seized on a cross into the box.

Chelsea’s defeat was made worse when skipper John Terry was sent off late on.

Victory saw Sunderland go a point in front of Newcastle, who have played one game more than their north-east rivals and could only manage a goalless draw with already-relegated Aston Villa on Saturday.

If Sunderland win at home to Everton on Wednesday, they will stay up and relegate both Newcastle and Norwich City in the process.

Second-bottom Norwich moved closer to the drop after a 1-0 loss at home to Manchester United, with Juan Mata’s 72nd-minute goal proving decisive at Carrow Road.

United’s victory saw Louis van Gaal’s fifth-placed side close to within a point of local rivals Manchester City, who currently occupy fourth spot and the last qualifying position on offer to English clubs for next season’s Champions League.

City, looking to bounce back from their Champions League semi-final defeat by Real Madrid in midweek, play third-placed Arsenal at Eastlands on Sunday.

“I am indeed a Gunners fan tomorrow. After losing to Real Madrid, it is not easy for Manchester City to revive,” United manager Louis van Gaal told BT Sport.

Norwich’s defeat meant they had lost four league games in a row — all without scoring a goal.

“We have to stop making errors but it is a bit late in the day,” said Norwich manager Alex Neil.

Dwight Gayle’s two goals gave Crystal Palace a come-from-behind 2-1 win at home to Stoke City that secured the FA Cup finalists Premier League status.

The Eagles were a goal behind at Selhurst Park when Charlie Adam gave Stoke a 26th-minute lead.

But Gayle equalised early in the second half before making it 2-1 with a 25-yard free-kick.

Swansea beat West Ham United 4-1 to spoil the London club’s final Saturday match at Upton Park before they move to the Olympic Stadium.

Wayne Routledge volleyed in Ki Seung-Yueng’s cross in the 25th minute and six minutes later Andrew Ayew’s close-range finish made it 2-0.

Ki’s volleyed in Swansea’s third goal in the 51st minute.

Stephen Kingsley’s 68th-minute own-goal gave the Hammers,whose slim hopes of a top-four finish were all but ended by this defeat, hope but Swansea, 3-1 winners over Liverpool last week, then saw Bafetimbi Gomis score in stoppage time.

Bournemouth, already assured of Premier League survival after promotion last season, drew 1-1 with a West Bromwich Albion side managed by former player and boss Tony Pulis.

Pulis saw Baggies club-record signing Salomon Rondon head the visitors into a 16th-minute lead at Dean Court.

South coast club Bournemouth were then indebted to Artur Boruc when the Poland goalkeeper tipped Craig Gardner’s penalty onto the crossbar.

Bournemouth equalised when substitute Matt Ritchie headed in eight minutes from time.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2016