It is latest today that Chelsea might have begun the post-Jose Mourinho period with a comfortable triumph against Sunderland – yet the shadow of the previous director hung vigorously over Stamford Bridge. The Blues’ fans conveyed verging on consistent sponsorship for Mourinho, with pennants all around Stamford Bridge pronouncing bolster, while Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas were sneered before and amid the game by supporters who plainly trust they have been integral to the sacked chief’s ruin.
Branislav Ivanovic’s towering fifth-minute header put Chelsea in transit and triumph was viably affirmed against the battling Black Cats when Pedro jumped on a free ball before half-time. Guus Hiddink, affirmed as Chelsea manager until the end of the season hours before the game, viewed from the stands close by previous Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and club proprietor Roman Abramovich as Oscar included a third from the spot after Costel Pantilimon fouled Willian.
Fabio Borini pulled one back for Sunderland when he packaged in from short proximity, yet this day was such a great amount about Mourinho. Chelsea was on the floor before this game as they stood stand out point off the assignment places in sixteenth position. Keeping in mind an extremely poor Sunderland helped them to their feet, there absolutely appeared to be an awesome flexibility to the champions’ play. Oscar, cheered by Chelsea’s fans, was his typical self yet there was a speed about their initial play that recommended a weight valve had been discharged by the administrative change. Chelsea’s fans coordinated a bright serenade in the players’ bearing asking where they, and the execution they had created against Sunderland, had been this season.
Chelsea first team coach Steve Holland said, “I am happy with the result but it is raw. I feel the way I feel. The first half they played well in general. The early goal gave the players a boost of confidence, but the team is still fragile to an extent. They are used to setbacks in recent weeks so we wobbled a bit in the second half. In the end I thought they saw the game out fairly comfortably.”
Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce said, “We looked frightened of going out to play. We didn’t get to grips in midfield and we didn’t go up against them. We picked a team to put them under pressure but we didn’t really do that. It’s not what you want to do but you have to react and for a time we were a little better, but then we did the most stupid thing of all which was to give them a penalty.”
