Hiddink praises Cats fans as he bemoans lack of cutting edge
Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink was left frustrated after watching his Chelsea side go down 3-2 – but he praised the Sunderland fans for their impact at the Stadium of Light.
The Dutchman felt his side should have taken the game away from Sunderland having regained the lead just before half-time.
But they found Vito Mannone and a resilient Sunderland defence standing in their way after the break.
Fabio Borini and Jermain Defoe then scored twice inside three minutes to seal a dramatic comeback at the Stadium of Light.
Gutted Hiddink said: “Disappointing result because we like to win every game, which is not always possible.
“When we analyse the game, we should have had the score more in our advantage.
“We played very well but by not scoring our chances we then invited them into the game. We reacted to make it 2-1 but the second half we also had two or three open chances and didn’t take them and they got new energy. First half, and part of the second half, they were a bit shaky waiting for the kill. We didn’t do that though.
“They were very well sup- ported by their crowd to help make the win, this was a huge win for them.”
Meanwhile, John Terry could have played his final game for Chelsea following his sending-off for two bookable offences late on. He will now be banned for the midweek trip to Liverpool and Sunday’s visit of champions Leicester.
As a result, the 35-yearold defender, who made his debut in October 1998 and is out of contract this summer, appears to have pulled on the blue shirt for the last time.
The club has insisted a contract offer may be forthcoming, with incoming head coach Antonio Conte having a major say in the final decision. But there has been no sign of one so far and Hiddink remains uncertain over the former England defender’s future.
Asked if Terry’s appearance on Wearside would be his last, Hiddink said: “For the club, I don’t know, but it’s sad, of course, that he was sent off for a second yellow, and it’s the second sending-off, which by the rules means he will suspended (for both games).
“I think the referee was too close to the incident. Normally we say, ‘Referee, be close to what can happen’, but I think he was too close and an impulsive reaction made him draw the yellow card.”