Sunderland 3-2 Chelsea: Comeback Cats Get Vital Win

Goals from Khazri, Borini and Defoe completed a dramatic comeback win for the Black Cats as they move out of the bottom three.

Sunderland made a traffic start straight from the off as great pressing saw Defoe being hauled down by Cahill just before the box but the referee showed Cahill a yellow when it looked like a red.

Chelsea’s first opportunity arrived on 10 minutes when Willian received a square ball from Hazard but his tame effort was easily saved by Mannone.

Chelsea broke the deadlock on 14 minutes as Cahill’s pass inside was deflected by Yedlin into the path of Costa who neatly finished past Mannone.

Sunderland’s passing wasn’t good and they were struggling to find any momentum going forward but they nearly found an equiliser on 26 minutes. Defoe crossed for Yedlinat the back post but his near post header was well saved by Courtois.

Sunderland got their equaliser on 41 minutes in spectacular fashion as Chelsea headed clear from a free kick straight to Khazri who volleyed home from 25 yards into the top corner.

Chelsea got their noses back in front right on the stroke of half time through Matic. The central defence went missing and Van Aanholt played everyone onside allowing Matic to run onto a flick on after he wasn’t tracked to slot past Mannone.

Chelsea nearly made it three on 49 minutes when Costa was played clean through but Mannone stood up well to make a critical save from the striker.

Mannone was called into action yet again on 61 minutes after Costa found himself one on one again but Mannone ran out quickly to narrow the angle and deny the striker.

Sunderland pegged Chelsea back for the second time on 66 minutes through Fabio Borini. Van Aanholt’s cross picked out the Italian on the edge of the box and he fired home into the bottom corner.

Sunderland were rampant and they went in front on 69 minutes. Yedlin’s cross found Defoe in the box and striker swivelled and fired past Courtois.

John Terry was sent off in added time after two quick fouls as Sunderland held on to a vital win at the Stadium of Light

Sunderland (4-3-3): Mannone, Yedlin, Van Aanholt, Kaboul, Kone (O’Shea 55’), Kirchhoff (Watmore 64’), Cattermole (c) (Larsson 70’), M’Vila, Khazri, Borini, Defoe.

Subs: Pickford, O’Shea, Larsson, Rodwell, Lens, Watmore, N’Doye.

Goals: Khazri (41’) Borini (66’) Defoe (69’)

Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta (Rahman 67’), Mikel (Traore 82’), Matic, Willian (Oscar 79’), Fabregas, Hazard, Costa.

Subs: Begovic, Rahman, Loftus- Cheek, Kenedy, Oscar, Traore, Pato.

Goals: Costa (14’) Matic (45+3)