Sunderland break Chelseas winning streak
After a game full of errors, Chelsea suffered the biggest slip possible. Jose Mourinho has finally lost his 77-Premier League game unbeaten home record at Stamford Bridge, but the consequences go far deeper than that. Sunderland’s 2-1 win means Chelsea have fully lost initiative in the title race too. It is looking a long shot.
After their draw at Manchester City in midweek, meanwhile, Sunderland could also go a long way to helping Liverpool lift the title while saving them. In the midst of all that, Mourinho had to save the referee Mike Dean from the ire of Coach Rui Faria, physically restraining the coach from confronting the official. Dean was guilty of many errors but, beyond Chelsea’s complaints that culminated in Fabio Borini’s winning penalty, Ramires should have been sent off for a swipe. Chelsea as a whole never found the same sense of fight. Cech may have been the player out with a virus but, even beyond his absence, these didn’t look like two teams in full health. The first half was error-strewn from the off, and finished with Dean missing missing Ramires’ strike on Seb Larsson.
Chelsea’s opening goal was a case in point. After a laboured opening 10 minutes, Samuel Eto’o injected life with a burst into the area. Sunderland were caught by surprise as John O’Shea completely bought the forward’s feint, before Santiago Vergini challenged for a corner. If that was lax from Sunderland, the marking for the set-piece was ludicrously poor. Willian’s delivery was allowed simply to drop into the six-yard box, and Eto’o plundered a volley at mid-height. Chelsea’s frustration at that point was displayed by Oscar’s wild shot over the bar. Mourinho showed his dissatisfaction by hauling the Brazilian off for Demba Ba. The home side went to two up front, and their manager again played his one big wild card.
It did not initially have the same effect as against Swansea City, as Ba didn’t seem at the same level of sharpness. In one attack, the ball hit the back of his heel just when he seemed set to be released forward. In another, Ba first did well to flick the ball through for Willian, only to mess up his feet for the return. With 25 minutes to go, there was still a lack of proper energy about Chelsea. They were too far back, not getting enough men forward, and always attacking only in spurts. So, Mourinho went all out. Fernando Torres was introduced for Eto’o, but even more drama was injected into the game. Jozy Altidore went down in the box on 81 minutes and, although Cesar Azpilicueta didn’t appear to make contact, Dean pointed to the spot. Borini rolled it past Schwarzer and Faria roared up to the referee.
There was no grand siege however, no real late chance. The home side may have lost their chance. Mourinho’s unbeaten home record is ended. Chelsea’s title challenge is on the brink.
After a game full of errors, Chelsea suffered the biggest slip possible. Jose Mourinho has finally lost his 77-Premier League game unbeaten home record at Stamford Bridge, but the consequences go far deeper than that. Sunderland’s 2-1 win means Chelsea have fully lost initiative in the title race too. It is looking a long shot.
After their draw at Manchester City in midweek, meanwhile, Sunderland could also go a long way to helping Liverpool lift the title while saving them. In the midst of all that, Mourinho had to save the referee Mike Dean from the ire of Coach Rui Faria, physically restraining the coach from confronting the official. Dean was guilty of many errors but, beyond Chelsea’s complaints that culminated in Fabio Borini’s winning penalty, Ramires should have been sent off for a swipe. Chelsea as a whole never found the same sense of fight. Cech may have been the player out with a virus but, even beyond his absence, these didn’t look like two teams in full health. The first half was error-strewn from the off, and finished with Dean missing missing Ramires’ strike on Seb Larsson.
Chelsea’s opening goal was a case in point. After a laboured opening 10 minutes, Samuel Eto’o injected life with a burst into the area. Sunderland were caught by surprise as John O’Shea completely bought the forward’s feint, before Santiago Vergini challenged for a corner. If that was lax from Sunderland, the marking for the set-piece was ludicrously poor. Willian’s delivery was allowed simply to drop into the six-yard box, and Eto’o plundered a volley at mid-height. Chelsea’s frustration at that point was displayed by Oscar’s wild shot over the bar. Mourinho showed his dissatisfaction by hauling the Brazilian off for Demba Ba. The home side went to two up front, and their manager again played his one big wild card.
It did not initially have the same effect as against Swansea City, as Ba didn’t seem at the same level of sharpness. In one attack, the ball hit the back of his heel just when he seemed set to be released forward. In another, Ba first did well to flick the ball through for Willian, only to mess up his feet for the return. With 25 minutes to go, there was still a lack of proper energy about Chelsea. They were too far back, not getting enough men forward, and always attacking only in spurts. So, Mourinho went all out. Fernando Torres was introduced for Eto’o, but even more drama was injected into the game. Jozy Altidore went down in the box on 81 minutes and, although Cesar Azpilicueta didn’t appear to make contact, Dean pointed to the spot. Borini rolled it past Schwarzer and Faria roared up to the referee.
There was no grand siege however, no real late chance. The home side may have lost their chance. Mourinho’s unbeaten home record is ended. Chelsea’s title challenge is on the brink.