Following Manchester United's 2-2 with Aston Villa on Saturday, United's seventh draw of the season, Chelsea had the chance to move six points clear of their rivals at the top of the league had they won the game, instead the gap has now been ended to a mere two points after Arsenal's 2-1 win over Everton, and a three point lead over United.

The game seemed to be a formality for Chelsea, who had beaten Sunderland 7-2 in the corresponding fixture last season. Sunderland's last away win in the Premier league was against Hull last April and a up-to-date 5-1 capitulation at North-East rivals Newcastle was an ominous sign for the visitors. Prior to the game Chelsea had yet to concede a league goal at Stamford Bridge this season

Carlo Ancelotti will meet with his Chelsea players to enumerate the match when they return from international duty later this week, he described the doing as the worst since he became Chelsea owner before the start of the 2009-10 season. He accused the Chelsea players of lacking fighting spirit, attitude and mentality. Although the owner does not believe the effect had anything to do with the sudden mid-week departure of assistant coach Ray Wilkins which shocked many Chelsea fans.

Following a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool last week and a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham, Chelsea were without any key players, including Frank Lampard, John Terry, Alex all straight through injury and the suspended Michael Essien.

Sunderland fully deserved the victory and at times made Chelsea look very ordinary, they outplayed the hosts, with best tactics and best play, similar to the Liverpool doing the week before when they out played Chelsea on their way to a 2-0 victory.

Chelsea now face a difficult away trip to Birmingham next week and will have puny time to restore order due to the mid-week International fixtures. Sunderland were a weighty 250-1 with bookmakers to achieve this score line, if only I had a crystal ball.

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