Blues edge five-goal thriller

24 May 2009 17:19
Sunderland survived a nervy final afternoon of the Barclays Premier League season and will be the north-east's only representatives in the top flight next term despite losing 3-2 to Chelsea. While rivals Newcastle and Middlesbrough were experiencing the trauma of relegation, Sunderland were succumbing to defeat in Guus Hiddink's final match as manager of Chelsea. But results elsewhere meant it was not a costly loss, and events elsewhere ensured these two sides will meet again next season. Substitute Salomon Kalou and England defender Ashley Cole struck inside the final 16 minutes to ensure the three points left Wearside with the visitors, despite Kenwyne Jones' 90th-minute header. Kieran Richardson had earlier dragged the home side back into the game with a 53rd-minute strike, six minutes after Nicolas Anelka had claimed his 25th goal of the season with a 25-yard rocket. A crowd of 42,468 left the ground happy for very different reasons, with the victors looking to next Saturday's FA Cup final clash with Everton and their hosts anticipating the watching Ellis Short's buy-out.

Source: Eurosport