Chelsea win but fans make their anger clear

Chelsea 3 Sunderland 1

Chelsea began life after Jose Mourinho with a comfortable win, but the wounds left by his departure look unlikely to heal quickly.

Guus Hiddink, confirmed as boss until the end of the season, watched from the stands alongside Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and Blues legend Didier Drogba.

They saw what was initially a one-sided game, with the hosts going two up within the opening 12 minutes with goals from Branislav Ivanovic and Pedro, before Oscar added the third with a penalty soon after the interval.

Fabio Borini pulled a goal back for Sunderland, after which Chelsea looked less convincing although their victory never seemed in serious doubt.

The atmosphere was at times poisonous, with the home supporters making their feelings clear, not just by chanting Mourinho’s name before and during the match, but also by booing a number of Chelsea players – particularly Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa – as their names were read out before kick-off.

Fabregas and Costa were also booed by many fans as they were substituted in the second half, summing up the anger felt towards those perceived as playing a part in Mourinho’s downfall at the club he led to three Premier League titles during two memorable spells in charge.

With the sound of Mourinho’s name ringing around Stamford Bridge, Ivanovic, one of those who most woefully underperformed prior to the Portuguese’s sacking, headed in Willian’s right-wing corner.

Pedro – also jeered by some of the home fans – netted seven minutes later.

Again Ivanovic was involved, sending in a cross from the right which Sebastien Coates failed to deal with, enabling Pedro to fire home.

Chelsea, with coach Steve Holland in caretaker charge, went further in front four minutes into the second half.

Willian was brought down by keeper Costel Pantilimon after sneaking behind former Chelsea man Patrick van Aanholt to collect Pedro’s pass, and Oscar calmly tucked away the resulting spot-kick.

Another ex-Chelsea player, Borini, gave the Black Cats hope by scoring from close range after keeper Thibaut Courtois was unable to hold Younes Kaboul’s header from Adam Johnson’s right-wing free-kick.

Borini, on as a half-time substitute, then fired wide, as did Jermain Defoe, as Chelsea had to weather a spell of Sunderland pressure.

They also had chances to score a fourth. Loic Remy missed two of them after coming on for Costa, before Pedro scooped a shot over the bar after being teed up by Willian.