Source: Daily_Mail
Sunderland 2 Chelsea 4: Blues in need of Luiz as strikers cover up defensive flaws
After four more goals and whatamounted to a fine performance from Nicolas Anelka, some might questionthe wisdom of Chelsea smashing the British transfer record to signFernando Torres. [LNB]But David Luiz, the Brazil centrehalf whose arrival at Stamford Bridge amounted to little more than a?25million footnote on Monday, certainly looks like a shrewdinvestment. [LNB]Until John Terry struck in the 60thminute and Anelka crowned a superb individual display with a delighftulgoal in second-half stoppage time, Chelsea appeared to be in seriousdanger. [LNB] Captain Marvel: Matchwinner John Terry is congratulated by Ashley Cole as Steve Bruce looks on[LNB]Carlo Ancelotti might have declaredtheir slump to be over when his side put four past Bolton in their lastBarclays Premier League match, but an alarming degree of fragility atthe back suggested otherwise. [LNB]Down within four minutes afterallowing Phil Bardsley to beat Petr Cech from 20 yards, they thencontrived to surrender the advantage that had been established with apenalty from Frank Lampard and a further goal from Salomon Kalou. [LNB]Kieran Richardson was invited to tryhis luck with a free kick, and he responded with a cleverly executedeffort that, hit low, squeezed between Cech and his near post. [LNB]It must have been very troubling forAncelotti. His captain, although scoring the vital goal, lookedtroubled by what is probably another injury. [LNB] Lucky Black Cat: Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley celebrates his opening goal with Bruce[LNB]Terry was hesitant against avibrant, fast-moving Sunderland attack - a clear sign that he was notin peak physical condition when he pulled on his boots. [LNB]When it comes to organising his teamfor what promises to be a fascinating clash with Liverpool on Sunday,Ancelotti is unlikely to drop Terry. [LNB]He is more likely he will move Branislav Ivanovic back to right back and deploy Luiz alongside Terry. [LNB]How Ancelotti then accommodatesTorres will be more interesting to see, but we were probably given aninsight into his plans here. [LNB]Anelka was deployed in the holebehind Didier Drogba and Kalou and the France forward was absolutelyoutstanding, scoring that one goal and creating another. [LNB] No mistake: Frank Lampard equalises from the penalty spot[LNB]When pressed on the issue, Ancelotti admitted it pointed to a change in approach from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2. [LNB]'I will probably play two strikers, maybe with a diamond,' he said. 'That will not change our system very much.' [LNB]Ancelotti probably has it in hismind to go with Torres and Drogba as a pairing with Anelka in front ofa midfield three of Lampard, Michael Essien and John Mikel Obi. [LNB]Chelsea's manager certainly hopes toselect Torres on Sunday. Steve Bruce was thankful that at least hisSunderland side did not have to face the ?50m striker. [LNB]Told of the plan to play Anelka playing behind Torres and Drogba, Bruce's response was 'wow'. [LNB]'Anelka is that good he can play anywhere,' he said. [LNB]Responding to the signing of Torres,he added: 'I went to see The King's Speech at four o'clock. When I cameout I nearly had a stutter 'n all!' [LNB] Chelsea celebrate after Salomon Kalou (far right) put the Blues 2-1 up[LNB]Sunderland were among the clubs wholost rather than gained a star striker, but they deserve credit for theway they have responded to the departure of Darren Bent. [LNB]They followed his ?24m move to AstonVilla with a fine 2-1 win at Blackpool and under the guidance of SteveBruce they threatened to inflict yet more pain on a Chelsea side theyhad already beaten once this season. [LNB]It was fourth minute goal fromBardsley, the left back turning inside Ivanovic before guiding a20-yard shot beyond the reach of Cech. [LNB] 2-2: Kieran Richardson fires in a free kick to bring Sunderland level[LNB]From the defending champions,however, came a swift response. When Ahmed Elmohamady sent Ashley Colecrashing to the ground inside Sunderland's penalty area in the 15thminute, Mark Halsey pointed immediately to the spot. [LNB]Lampard converted with ease, but itwas nothing like as easy as the goal that followed from Kalou eightminutes later thanks to a serious error of judgment by Craig Gordon. [LNB]There was no need for the Sunderlandgoalkeeper to come charging out of his area, but he did so as Kalouaccelerated on to a neat pass from Anelka, succeeding only inpresenting the Ivory Coast international with a simple side-footedfinish.[LNB] Three-mendous: John Terry fires in the decisive third goal for Chelsea[LNB] MATCH FACTS SUNDERLAND (4-5-1): Gordon 6; Onuoha 6 (Cook 87min), Ferdinand 7, Bramble 7, Bardsley 8; Elmohamady 6, Henderson 7, Richardson 7, Malbranque 7 (Colback 82), Sessegnon 6; Gyan 6. Subs not used: Mignolet, Mensah, Angeleri, Riveros, Reed. Booked: Richardson. [LNB]CHELSEA (4-2-1-2-1): Cech 5; Bosingwa 6 (Ferreira 90), Ivanovic 6, Terry 6, Cole 7; Essien 6, Mikel 6 (Ramires 77); Lampard 7; Anelka 7, Kalou 6 (Malouda 81); Drogba 7. Subs not used: Turnbull, Bruma, Sala, McEachran. Booked: Drogba, Ivanovic. [LNB]Man of the match: Phil Bardsley. [LNB]Referee: Mark Halsey 6. [LNB] Not that Sunderland were alone in experiencing defensive nightmares. [LNB]Chelsea kept their lead for less than three minutes, Richardson equalising with the free kick. [LNB]The momentum seemed to be very much with the defending champions as the match progressed.[LNB] While Bruce would argue that Lampard's shot did not touch Bardsley - and so result in the corner that led to Terry's 60th minute winner - a third Chelsea goal had been coming. [LNB]After Lampard had seen his effort blocked by Gordon, it was Terry who took the ball on the bounce and drove it past the Scot. [LNB]The fourth arrived in second- half stoppage time, Anelka meeting a low cross from Florent Malouda with the neatest of touches. [LNB]Torres will only add to that quality but it Luiz the champions need right now. [LNB] Four-midable: Nicolas Anelka rounds off the scoring in the final minute[LNB] Chelsea reject fears they'll be kicked out of Champions League over spreeChelsea and Sunderland goalkeepers to unite in tribute to Jimmy ThorpeAll the latest Chelsea news, features and opinionAll the latest Sunderland news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: John Terry, Frank Lampard, Nicolas Anelka, Michael Essien, Petr Cech, Craig Gordon, Didier Drogba, Carlo Ancelotti, Steve Bruce, Darren Bent Places: Liverpool, France, Brazil
