Chelsea’s loss boosts Liverpool
SUNDERLAND condemned Chelsea to their first home Premier League defeat under Jose Mourinho with a stunning 2-1 victory yesterday that took Liverpool a step closer to the title.
Chelsea were bidding to take over from Liverpool at the summit, but their loss to the league’s bottom club means that Brendan Rodgers’s side can open up a five-point lead if they win at Norwich City today.
Samuel Eto’o put Chelsea ahead after only 12 minutes, but Sunderland equalised quickly through Connor Wickham and claimed victory with an 82nd-minute penalty from on-loan Liverpool striker Fabio Borini.
Having held third-placed Manchester City to a 2-2 draw in midweek, Sunderland have emerged as this season’s kingmakers, and victory at Stamford Bridge gave their chances of avoiding relegation a boost.
Gus Poyet’s side, who had previously gone nine games without a win, finished three points from safety and have a game in hand.
Chelsea took the lead in the 12th minute, Eto’o volleying in from Willian’s left-wing corner. But it took Sunderland just six minutes to draw level.
Mark Schwarzer, deputising in goal for the unwell Petr Cech, spilled a long-range shot from Marcos Alonso and Wickham pounced to clip home the rebound.
Chelsea’s response was not slow and visiting goalkeeper Vito Mannone had to produce smart saves to thwart Branislav Ivanovic, Nemanja Matic, Mohamed Salah and Willian before half time.
Chelsea’s frustrations told when Ramires hit Sebastian Larsson in the face, but referee Mike Dean appeared not to see it.
In the 81st minute, Cesar Azpilicueta was penalised for sliding in on Jozy Altidore and Borini, a former Chelsea striker, calmly beat Schwarzer from the spot.
Chelsea assistant coach, Rui Faria, needed to be restrained as he berated Dean.
Earlier, Fulham went down 3-1 at London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Felix Magath’s side had won their two previous games and reacted impressively after going behind to a close-range Paulinho strike in the 35th minute. Steve Sidwell equalised almost immediately, but secondhalf goals from Harry Kane and Younes Kaboul secured victory for Spurs.
Fulham slipped to 19th after Cardiff City moved above them on goal difference, drawing 1-1 at home to Stoke City. Marko Arnautovic gave Stoke the lead from the spot, but Peter Whittingham earned Cardiff a draw with a penalty of his own after Steven Nzonzi tripped Fraizer Campbell.
A stoppage-time penalty by Wilfried Bony gave Swansea a 2-1 victory at Newcastle.
Aston Villa drew 0-0 at home to Southampton and a 59th-minute Mile Jedinak penalty saw Crystal Palace win 1-0 at West Ham United. — AFP