Branislav Ivanovic’s first goal of the season, Pedro’s first goal at Stamford Bridge and Oscar’s first in the league since the opening day helped the Blues to a convincing win in the final game before Christmas.
We were 2-0 up inside 13 minutes in front of the watching Guus Hiddink, who 90 minutes before kick-off was appointed first team manager until the end of the season.
The Dutchman saw Ivanovic power a header in early on and with the Blues in fine form Pedro doubled our advantage from close range.
That lead might have been extended before the break but soon after the interval we did get a third, the excellent Oscar converting a penalty after Willian had been tripped by Costel Pantilimon.
Sunderland quickly responded through sub Fabio Borini and despite the odd scare the Blues ran out worthy winners for our first league win in four weeks, overseen this afternoon by assistant first team coaches Steve Holland and Eddie Newton. Next up is Watford a week today, Stamford Bridge again the venue for that Boxing Day fixture.
The hip injury sustained by Eden Hazard at Leicester ruled him out of the matchday squad. In his place came Pedro. Cesc Fabregas for Ramires was the only other change to the XI who started on Monday.
Se fue Mourinho, al que los fanaticos le dieron todo su apoyo con esta pancarta y Chelsea volvio a sonreír y especialmente algunos jugadores a decir presente como Branislav Ivanovic con su primer gol de temporada a los 5 minutos, Pedro con su primer gol en Stamford Bridge a los 15 y Oscar con su primer gol en la liga de penal a los 50, para una convincente victoria de 3-1 sobre Sunderland con el nuevo tecnico Guus Hiddink en la tribuna.
la unica diferencia de este equipo con relación al que perdio con Leicester en la fecha anterior, fue la ausencia del lesionado Eden Lazard y en su lugar Pedro. Fabregas y Ramirez fueron los unicos otros dos cambios con relacion al once inicialista, pero la actitud si fue muy diferente.
Chelsea llega ahora a 18 puntos en 17 fechas y se aleja de la zona roja, pensando ya en la proxima jornada el Boxing Day cuando reciban a Watford.