25 Mei 2015

Chelsea 3-1 Sunderland

  • Sunderland took the lead through Scotland striker Steven Fletcher who headed home at the back post
  • Chelsea replied through Diego Costa's penalty after John O'Shea fouled Juan Cuadrado in the area
  • Didier Drogba was carried off by his team-mates after suffering an injury on what will be his final game for the club
  • Loic Remy scored a double in the second half to ensure Chelsea's Premier League title party could start in style
Chelsea had been top of the table for a record 268 days, from the moment they beat Everton 6-3 at Goodison Park on August 30 to this final, momentous day in the English football calendar. 
‘That’s why we’re champions,’ they sang from the stands.
Fireworks are released at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea well and truly in the mood to party at the end of the season
Fireworks are released at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea well and truly in the mood to party at the end of the season
Chelsea wrapped up their season with come-from-behind victory over Sunderland to complete a fine campaign 
Chelsea wrapped up their season with come-from-behind victory over Sunderland to complete a fine campaign 

John Terry lifts the Premier League title as Chelsea can finally celebrate after winning the competition earlier this month

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba wears the crown from the trophy as he poses with his team-mates during the presentation
Drogba took centre stage on his final appearance for Chelsea as he led the Premier League title celebrations
Drogba took centre stage on his final appearance for Chelsea as he led the Premier League title celebrations
Ticket tape covers the Chelsea players as they finally get the chance to celebrate winning the title after victory over Sunderland
Ticket tape covers the Chelsea players as they finally get the chance to celebrate winning the title after victory over Sunderland
John Terry holds up the Premier League trophy
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho celebrates with his medal
Terry celebrates with his team-mates as manager Jose Mourinho takes the acclaim of the crowd with his winners' medal
Cesc Fabregas celebrates with his girlfriend and daughter after the celebrations at Stamford Bridge
Cesc Fabregas celebrates with his girlfriend and daughter after the celebrations at Stamford Bridge
Cech waves to the crowd during the celebrations
Peter Cech celebrates victory over Sunderland
Petr Cech waves to the crowd as he made what looks set to be his final appearance for Chelsea
John Terry with his two children
Diego Costa with the Premier League trophy
Terry celebrates with his two children as Diego Costa smiles with the trophy to cap a successful debut season 
Mourinho took off his medal and appeared to give it to his daughter in the crowd at Stamford Bridge
Mourinho took off his medal and appeared to give it to his daughter in the crowd at Stamford Bridge
Mourinho gestures to the fans as Chelsea prepare to lift the Premier League trophy after victory over Sunderland
Mourinho gestures to the fans as Chelsea prepare to lift the Premier League trophy after victory over Sunderland
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich waves to the crowd as he watched his side lift the Premier League trophy
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich waves to the crowd as he watched his side lift the Premier League trophy
Chelsea players take a lap of honour after being presented with the Premier League trophy
Chelsea players take a lap of honour after being presented with the Premier League trophy

Jose Mourinho’s team have been unbeaten at Stamford Bridge, winning 15 matches at home on the way to reclaiming the Premier League title by eight points. ‘Bring on the champions,’ they bayed.
And so they did, one by one until they finally, agonisingly got their hands on some shiny silverware to celebrate in front of their supporters.
There were references to the champions everywhere - more than 100 in the club programme alone - but this is an important day in the history of this club and Mourinho. This lot are winners.
The frenzied celebrations are the start of a 48 hour Chelsea-fest, a a party starting at Stamford Bridge that will continue through streets awash with blue and white scarves on Monday.
Their 3-1 victory was almost incidental to the main event, a trophy lift that took place at 510pm, after every member of the backroom staff, coaching staff and playing staff had been wheeled out.
Chelsea have been too good for all comers this season, as they demonstrated by recovering from a goal down to record their 26th victory of a 38 game league programme. The proof is in the pudding.
This sure tasted sweet for those boys in blue, cantering to victory with goals from substitutes Diego Costa, from the penalty spot, and two from Loic Remy after the break.
Loic Remy fires home his second goal and Chelsea's third as the champions made sure of the three points
Loic Remy fires home his second goal and Chelsea's third as the champions made sure of the three points
Remy celebrates scoring his second goal as the French striker ensured he had a productive end to the season
Remy celebrates scoring his second goal as the French striker ensured he had a productive end to the season
Loic Remy fires home his first as Chelsea edged out Sunderland to get the champions' title party underway at the Bridge
Loic Remy fires home his first as Chelsea edged out Sunderland to get the champions' title party underway at the Bridge
Remy celebrates after his goal put Chelsea in front at Stamford Bridge and ensured they finished the season on a high 
Remy celebrates after his goal put Chelsea in front at Stamford Bridge and ensured they finished the season on a high 

Steven Fletcher ghosted in unmarked at the back post to head Sunderland into a surprise lead at Chelsea 
Steven Fletcher ghosted in unmarked at the back post to head Sunderland into a surprise lead at Chelsea 

Fletcher peels away to celebrate a rare goal for Sunderland as they sensed an upset on the final day of the Premier League season
Fletcher peels away to celebrate a rare goal for Sunderland as they sensed an upset on the final day of the Premier League season

Fletcher is congratulated by team-mate Sebastian Coates after heading the visitors into the lead at Stamford Bridge
Fletcher is congratulated by team-mate Sebastian Coates after heading the visitors into the lead at Stamford Bridge

The trophy lift is a familiar feeling for the captain John Terry, certainly executed far better than the clumsy attempt by the players to hoist Didier Drogba off the field in the 30th minute wearing the captain’s armband.
Drogba had announced, in the hours before kick off, that he would leave Chelsea in search of one final season of first team football farther afield. What a send off it turned out to be.
‘Mr Mourinho came to me before the game and explained it - we knew it would happen,’ admitted Advocaat. ‘It’s no problem, the player deserves it.’ Sunderland had just taken the lead when Steven Fletcher read Adam Johnson’s left footed corner to head Dick Advocaat’s team into the lead after 29 minutes.
It was a spirited start by Sunderland, but the reality is that their season ended when they secured their place in the Premier League with that feverish 0-0 draw at Arsenal on Wednesday.
It has all came together for Chelsea in one joyous celebration, patiently waiting three weeks, since they were confirmed as champions, to get their hands on the trophy itself. The trick is to keep hold of it, to begin the title defence in August with the same resilience and desire that they showed to get back into this game.

Drogba saw the funny side as his Chelsea career came to an end midway through the half and he had to be taken off
Drogba saw the funny side as his Chelsea career came to an end midway through the half and he had to be taken off

Drogba revealed earlier that he will leave Chelsea for a second time this summer but intends to continue his playing career elsewhere
Drogba revealed earlier that he will leave Chelsea for a second time this summer but intends to continue his playing career elsewhere

Chelsea equalised after 35th minutes when John O’Shea clumsily bundled over Juan Caudrado inside the penalty area to gift them a penalty. Costa, on as a substitute, easily beat Vito Mannone.
They had to wait until late in the second half to pierce Sunderland’s defence again, with Eden Hazard providing the chance for Remy to beat Mannone from long range.
Remy, who had replaced the injured Cuadrado two minutes before half-time, scored again when he read Nemanja Matic’s pass across goal.
There was a glimpse into the future too when the Danish central defender Andreas Christensen was brought on to make his Premier League debut 13 minutes from time. Soon this club will be talking about the past, particularly after Drogba announced that he is to leave Chelsea for the second, presumably final, time. He has been an ambassador for this club.
So has Petr Cech, who will also bid farewell to Chelsea after 10 hugely successful years at the club. Both leave with their heads held high.
‘Petr is a 32 year old legend, and I want him to stay because we have the two best keepers in the Premier League,’ reflected Mourinho, as he sipped champagne and revealed that he had already bought a new watch to celebrate their title win. Mourinho’s smile said so much, handing his daughter Matilde his winner’s medal because his son Jose Junior is in Holland at a tournament with his club Fulham.
Here the lap of honour of appreciation took forever, soaking it all up again as they made their way towards their fans in all four corners of this stadium.
When they clamber on to that bus on Monday, they will be right back at the top.

Juan Cuadrado was fouled in the area by Sunderland defender John O'Shea and the champions were awarded a penalty

Costa, who had replaced the injured Drogba, stepped up to fire home the equaliser from the penalty spot
Costa, who had replaced the injured Drogba, stepped up to fire home the equaliser from the penalty spot

Costa celebrates with his Chelsea team-mates Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill after hauling his side level from 12 yards
Costa celebrates with his Chelsea team-mates Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill after hauling his side level from 12 yards

Eden Hazard was presented with the Barclays Player of the Season award before the final game of the season
Eden Hazard was presented with the Barclays Player of the Season award before the final game of the season

Drogba led Chelsea out after being named as captain for his final game for the west London club
Drogba led Chelsea out after being named as captain for his final game for the west London club

Terry tangles with Connor Wickham as the visitors tried to launch an attack following Chelsea's equaliser
Terry tangles with Connor Wickham as the visitors tried to launch an attack following Chelsea's equaliser

DUIT