MIDDLESBROUGH may be in free fall, Newcastle United are spluttering somewhat but at a moonlit Roker Park Sunderland proved that there is still a beating pulse in north east Premiership football. They did so in convincing fashion against a bloodless Chelsea outfit.
A debatable own goal from Duberry mid way through the first half gave Sunderland a slightly undeserved lead at that point but two further goals from Ball and Russell after the interval were certainly warranted, and, as Sunderland swelled, Chelsea shrivelled.
Chelsea were never allowed to settle. Neither side came into the game in particularly impressive form and a scrappy opening reflected this.
With VialIi out injured and Di Matteo on the bench nursing a lemsip Zola was the only one of the Chelsea Italians to start. Of greater surprise, though, was the decision by the manager Gull it to play himself alone at centre forward - presumably Hughes, who had played for Wales on Saturday was tired.
Judging by his demeanour, as early as the 13th minute the Chelsea boss may have been experiencing a touch of regret. Then, he stood hands on hips and dreadlocks shaking in disdain at an attempted long pass from Duberry. In fact the only moment he had to smile about were a couple of sweet turns from Zola
It was not until the last seconds of the first half that Perez, in the Sunderland goal, was forced into any serious action when he saved, bravely at the feet of Wise following another clipped Zola pass. By that stage Chelsea were behind, albeit in unfortunate circumstances. On the half hour, Russell collected a Rae flick from a Perez goal kick and with little else on decided to shoot.
The ball looked on course for the half moon, hanging above Roker, but struck the retreating Duberry on his backside and spiralled over Grodas and in.
Prior to that Sunderland had wasted an inviting opportunity when Bracewell surged unhindered into the Chelsea area but put his centre behind Russell and to the left of Rae. However, though that block by Perez at the blootlaces of Wise suggested the Londoners might be finding a workable pattern Sunderland's persistent harrying was creating problems. Rae may have squandered that previous chance but three minutes after the break when, from another 50-50 challenge won by a red and white shirt, Rae fed Gray.
This time Gray produced a gem of a centre that Ball met with a smiling diving header from five' yards. Gullit, who had introduced Di Matteo at half time, now brought on Hughes but Chelsea' continued to labour and when Russell added a third in the 68th minute the Blues were already a beaten team.
