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Ivanovic celebrating after opening the scoring after 5 minutes of play |
Goals from Ivanovic, Pedro and Oscar keep Sunderland deep in relegation trouble as another poor first half performance cost the Black Cats any chance of getting points.
Sunderland started on the back foot just like last week and they allowed Chelsea to open the scoring early from a set piece. Ivanovic rose above Coates to head home powerfully from a corner after only 5 minutes.
Sunderland couldn’t get out of their own half and they conceded again on 13 minutes after more poor defending. An Ivanovic ball in wasn’t dealt with and Pedro was there to fire home despite the efforts of Pantilimon.
Chelsea should have scored a third on 26 minutes after the Sunderland defence parted allowing Oscar to walk through unopposed but Pantilimon stood up well to deny the Brazilian.
Sunderland finally created an opening on 32 minutes after M’Vila played the ball over the top to Watmore, but the Englishman rushed his effort which flew high and wide.
Chelsea didn’t have to wait long after the break to get a third as Pantilimon brought down Willian in the box after a quick counter attack and Oscar sent the big Romanian the wrong way from the spot.
Sunderland pulled a goal back three minutes later through Fabio Borini. Kaboul’s header at the back post was palmed away by Courtois straight into the path of Borini who tapped into the empty net.
Borini nearly doubled his tally for the afternoon soon after as Johnson played him through but the Italian’s curling effort just went the wrong side of the post.
Chelsea could have made sure of victory on 83 minutes after catching Sunderland on the break again but Pedro lifted his effort just over the bar.
Defoe forced another good save from Courtois after his effort was deflected on 87 minutes as Sunderland kept battling to find a way back, but ultimately the two early goals cost Sunderland the chance of getting anything from the game.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois, Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry (c), Azpilicueta, Matic, Fabregas (Mikel 70’), Willian, Oscar (Ramires 82’), Pedro, Costa (Remy 75’).
Subs: Begovic, Cahill, Baba Rahman, Mikel, Ramires, Traore, Remy.
Goals: Ivanovic (5’) Pedro (13’) Oscar (50’)
Sunderland (3-5-2): Pantilimon, Jones, Coates (Johnson 23’), Kaboul, O’Shea (c), Van Aanholt, M’Vila, Rodwell, Toivonen (Borini 46’), Watmore (Graham 79’), Defoe.
Subs: Mannone, Yedlin, Gomez, Graham, Borini, Fletcher, Johnson.
Goals: Borini (53’)
