Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea 7 Sunderland 2: Black Cats humbled as Anelka and Lampard shine
[LNB]When Chelsea's players gather at the close of their careers to talk about the days of distant glory, this is an afternoon which will come leaping to their minds. [LNB][LNB]An astonishing occasion, awash with resourceful passing, intelligent running and thunderous finishing. A match in which almost everything they attempted was delivered. And a result which was dramatic, but in no way flattering. [LNB]Some of the more honest characters might recall Sunderland's part in proceedings; the absence of challenge, the confusion of strategy, the meekness of surrender. [LNB] The rout begins: Nicolas Anelka rounds Marton Fulop[LNB] [LNB]The sum of their failings made it embarrassingly easy for the sideat the summit. No matter. The nature of the rout will linger long inChelsea memories.It may even be recalled as the day the league was won. [LNB]The reaction of the respective managers was eloquent beyond words. Carlo Ancelotti spoke of 'the best display of the season'. [LNB]He praised his players for their attitude and skill. He lied that heallowed them not one, but two glasses of good red wine before thematch. And he tried not to sound smug. [LNB]By comparison, Steve Bruce sounded like the accused at a show trial,pleading guilty to everything. 'We simply couldn't cope ... they weretoo good for us all over the pitch ... defensively we were inept ...anyone who finished above Chelsea will win the title'. [LNB]He concluded with a masterpiece of understatement: 'It was a very difficult afternoon.' [LNB] Corker: Ashley Cole holds off Steed Malbranque to score[LNB]Indeed it was. And Chelsea made them pay for that ineptitude.Nicolas Anelka and Frank Lampard scored two goals apiece, Ashley Cole,Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda took the rest. And it could havebeen double. It could have been anything. [LNB]When they hit their game, Chelsea can sweep away the best of sides.They struck that form against one of the worst. Good as they were, itshould never, ever be this easy. [LNB]The first half was embarrassingly simple for Chelsea. They playedwithout care or challenge. They scored four goals, yet missed as manymore. The whole affair resembled a third-round FA Cup tie in which thenon-League side are overwhelmed by the occasion. [LNB]Sunderland could plead eight players were missing. But they couldnot make a case for even one of those who turned up. Nobody won atackle, nobody came away with a 50-50 ball. They merely yielded. [LNB]Ashley Cole was awarded the freedom of the Bridge; careering downthe left, infiltrating at will, enjoying the kind of space nobodydreams of in the Premier League. And he was not alone. [LNB] All smiles: Chelsea celebrate Frank Lampard's first goal[LNB]The surprise was that it took eight minutes to score. The odd chancehad been squandered before Anelka was played into extravagant space andnudged the chance over the line. [LNB]Ten minutes later, Malouda collected at halfway and, with opponents backing off, he struck a successful drive from 20 yards. [LNB]Four minutes on, John Terry chipped a ball into the path of AshleyCole, who lifted the chance beyond Marton Fulop. Bruce sat andsquirmed. In 33 minutes, Ashley Cole played a seductive cross whichLampard bundled in. [LNB]Bruce emerged from his dugout for the first time. Amazingly, he was not waving a white flag. [LNB]So, four up at half time, Chelsea took off Terry and Ashley Cole andbrought on Alex and Yuri Zhirkov, with Sunderland introducing BoloZenden for Steed Malbranque. [LNB] Five star: Michael Ballack thumps in a header [LNB]Nothing changed except the shirt numbers. Sunderland wore theexpressions of men who wondered just how bad things might become. In 49minutes they were given a hint, when Anelka's brutal drive struck barand post before staying out. [LNB]But two minutes later a curving cross from Joe Cole was met by thehead of an unchallenged Ballack. In 56 minutes, the visitors scored.Kenwyn Jones headed down and Zenden drove in the chance.He punched the air in celebration, then blushed at his cheek. [LNB]But Chelsea's sixth in 64 minutes restored sanity to the score.Fulop came to punch a cross, only for Anelka to collect the ball andbatter it into an empty net. [LNB]Sunderland survived further punishment until the 90th minute when Lampard headed his second goal and Chelsea's seventh. [LNB]The visitors even scored a second in added time, Darren Bent hackingin a chance with Chelsea defenders halfway towards the showers. But ithad been a rout, a genuine thumping. [LNB]The Premier League season has seen nothing like it. One doubts that it will. [LNB] Andy Townsend's boot room: Everton will provide first real test for ManciniSturridge - the Chelsea boy who's been told he's brilliant all his life must deliverCHELSEA FC
