Di Canio debut ends in defeat

07 April 2013 17:17

Paolo Di Canio's debut match as Sunderland boss ended in a 2-1 defeat as Chelsea returned to the top four of the Barclays Premier League with a third successive win at Stamford Bridge.

The build up to Di Canio's first match as successor to Martin O'Neill was overshadowed by debate over the controversial Italian's character after his 2005 statement proclaiming to be a "fascist but not a racist" and he could not prevent Sunderland's winless run extending to nine games.

Chelsea trailed at half-time to Cesar Azpilicueta's own goal, but Matt Kilgallon deflected into his own net following a surging run by substitute Fernando Torres and Branislav Ivanovic directed a David Luiz shot into the Sunderland goal in the 55th minute to give the Blues the three points.

Source: PA