Chelsea suffered their fourth Premier League defeat of the season with a loss at Sunderland, leaving their slim title hopes hanging by a thread. It was the third consecutive time Chelsea have lost to Sunderland, who have become the west London club's bogey side.
Frantic start and early penalty
The game began at a frantic pace, with both teams creating chances at either end. For the visitors, Morgan Rogers came closest to an opener, but the Englishman headed wide from close range. Moments later, Chelsea fell behind as Levi Colwill was wrong-sided by Brian Brobbey, with the referee pointing to the spot. Enzo Le Fee converted the penalty to give Sunderland a half-time lead.
In need of a reaction, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso introduced Estevao at the break, but the change did not have the required impact. Sunderland stuck to their guns and not only competed with the two-time European champions, but took the game to them as well.
Player ratings: Defence and midfield struggle
Mike Penders earned a 6/10, having grown into the No.1 role following a shaky start against Tottenham last month, looking much more commanding. Marco Palestra received 4/10 in a tough watch, looking like a fish out of water throughout the afternoon on Wearside.
Wesley Fofana was rated 3/10, on his heels while defending and far too clunky in possession. Colwill was the one hooked at half-time, but Alonso could have picked either of the Chelsea centre-backs. Levi Colwill also received 3/10 after getting run ragged by Brobbey in the first half and paying the price by being hooked at the break. He was wrong-sided for the penalty decision, and while he will argue Brobbey was pulling his shirt at the same time, his positioning was poor to begin with.
Pep Chavarria earned 5/10, by no means the worst member of the Chelsea backline, but not spectacular. Moises Caicedo had a tough battle in midfield and was moved to centre-back after the restart, earning 5/10. Romeo Lavia was superb against Manchester United last weekend, but less polished at the Stadium of Light, given the runaround by his Sunderland counterparts, also rated 5/10. Jordan Henderson, playing in his 700th career match, received 4/10, tormented by Sunderland counterparts who were faster, fitter, and stronger.
Attack fails to fire
Morgan Rogers was rated 2/10, having missed a chance at 0-0 that could have changed the afternoon for the Blues. It was one of his worst outings in a Chelsea shirt. Cole Palmer earned 3/10, possibly deserving a penalty, but a VAR review adjudged the foul took place outside the area. After that, it was like Chelsea were playing with 10 men, and for the amount of the ball Chelsea saw, it was inexcusable how little the England international did with it. Pedro Neto received 5/10, yet to properly convince in the false-nine role during Joao Pedro's absence, but a willing runner throughout the match.
Substitutes fail to inspire
Estevao was rated 5/10, with more expected after coming on at half-time, far too indecisive with his dribbles and easy to defend against. Danny Welbeck earned 5/10, should be starting while Pedro is out injured, but by the time he came on, Sunderland had already retreated and the space was nonexistent. His first chance came in the 92nd minute, and the ex-Brighton man fluffed his lines. Malo Gusto was ineffective after his introduction, rated 5/10, while Geovany Quenda flashed a cross-cum-shot wide, also 5/10. Emanuel Emegha was not rated.
More substitutes came and went, but Alonso was unable to inspire a Chelsea comeback, with the west Londoners heading into the international break with just one win in their last four outings.
