Match report: Sunderland 2 Chelsea 3

24 May 2009 18:11
They have surely never seen anything like this euphoria at the Stadium of Light and probably never will again after this narrow escape from relegation that saw survival celebrated and their arch-rivals fall from grace celebrated. Their team might have failed to secure the win that would have guaranteed their own survival but such a small matter was not going to allow the wild celebrations to be dampened thanks to Newcastle's downfall and Damien Duff's own-goal at Villa Park. Angst-ridden Sunderland supporters had been given precious little to shout about by their own team's exploits but not even Nicolas Anelka's Golden Boot-winning goal could dampen their celebrations. The festivities had begun in an surreal turn of events, the ground suddenly burst into life when news filtered through that Newcastle had gone behind at Villa Park and fans embraced one another while others burst into song, toasting their arch-rivals' demise. Frank Lampard may have been left at home to get some well earned rest but his absence did nothing to prevent Chelsea dominating their lowly opponents even though Guus Hiddink's side may have the FA Cup on their minds. The Sunderland struggled to cope with Didier Drogba and he went close twice in the opening exchanges, lifting lob onto roof of net before seeing a powerful volley punched away by Marton Fulop. The Hungarian saved brilliantly to deny Drogba turn and then Florent Malouda before half-time as the Chelsea intensified as the carnival atmosphere enveloped the ground. Fulop's resistance was broken in the 47th minute by Anelka who sidestepped Danny Collins just inside the Sunderland half before advancing and unleashing a rising 25-yard shot that sped past the goalkeeper for his 19th goal this term. The Sunderland response was impressive as Petr Cech spilt Grant Leadbitter's cross under pressure from lone striker Kenwyne Jones and Richardson was on hand to ram the loose ball through sea of legs for a 53rd-minute equaliser. It was a goal that had Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn punching the air on the front row of the directors where he sat alongside Ellis Short, the club's Texan-based majority shareholder who is poised to complete his takeover. Their celebrations were cut-short, though, as Salomon Kalou ensured Chelsea finished on a winning note when he beat Fulop with a viciously struck 20-yard shot in the 74th-minute. Ashley Cole doubled the lead when he finished off a counter-attack by cracking a low shot beyond in the 86th-minute with the Sunderland defence at sixes and sevens. Jones reduced the deficit in the 90th-minute when he nodded in Andy Reid's in-swinging cross but nothing could spoil the party that followed Mark Halsey's final whistle following what is expected to be Ricky Sbragia's final game in charge. 'Come On Villa, Come on Villa' echoed around Wearside before Newcastle's fate was sealed, celebrations broke out everywhere and the party began in earnest, led by local hero Quinn, while fans sang 'Let's All Laugh at Shearer'

Source: Telegraph