Sunderland vs Chelsea – Match Report

Sometimes, the scoreline doesn’t actually reflect what happened in the match and today was one of those for Chelsea, the Blues thoroughly dominated the game came and finished eventual winners in a 2-1 victory over Sunderland courtesy of two fantastic goals from John Terry and young Daniel Sturridge.

Andre Villas-Boas started with Torres on the bench, with Anelka replacing him in a 4-3-3 formation. The first ten minutes were rather quiet, as Chelsea dominated possession, but failed to create any real chances. Juan Mata, who made his first start in Chelsea colours, looked in top form and managed to get into the box a couple of times, but didn’t resulted in any goals.

In the 17th minute, Juan Mata hit the post from a free-kick from just outside the box after Nicholas Anelka was brought down, the ball deflected off the post and fell to Sturridge, who made a crisp cross to John Terry who duly finished sublimely from a very tight angle. Chelsea got the lead they deserved.
 
Things looked a little off-pace in the latter stages of the first half, Chelsea dominated thoroughly, preventing Sunderland from showing any signs of equalizing. Cech had a quiet half, but was forced to make his first save in the 44th minute when Sessegnon shot from a tight angle just outside the six-yard box. Which meant Chelsea went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
 
Chelsea continued to completely dominate possession in the second half and were finally rewarded with a goal; Danny Sturridge, was found by debutant Raul Meireles, and he scored with a clever back-heel, which basically ended Sunderland’s hopes of getting anything out of the game.
 
Sturridge soon made way for Florent Malouda. the Frenchman made an instant impact when he shot directly on target after a neat pass from Lampard.
 
The Black Cats new signing Bendtner had a half chance fom just inside the six yard box, but that resulting in Ivanovic bravely blocking the shot, Connor Wickham had a decent chance later but headed over the bar which added to Sunderland’s misery.
 
Things remained the same until the 90th minute, and just as AVB looked to get his second clean sheet this season, Sunderland got a goal from nowhere in the 91st minute when Ji Dong Wong slid the ball into the net. A nervy couple of minutes of stoppage time followed but after some brave defending by John Terry ensured that Chelsea went home with three points.

By Abhishek Easwaran