However, Sunderland grew into the game and Wahbi Khazri produced a smashing half-volley from the edge of Chelsea penalty box to get the equaliser to the Black Cats in the 41st minute, but it didn’t last long as Nemanja Matic wrestled back the lead for the visitors in stoppage time to get his side’s noses ahead just before the break.
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Second half strikes from Fabio Borini and Jermain Defoe then turned the game on its head in the space of just a few minutes, while top saves from Vito Mannone before and after the quick fire goals were also crucial to securing the result.
Newcastle could manage no better than a 0-0 draw at already relegated Villa to sit one point behind Sunderland, having played one game more.
“He’s done all that in what’s been a struggle for us for most of the year, so it’s a great credit to him and his professionalism and dedication, and his ability in front of goal”.
But Roberto Martinez’s men have won only one of their last nine games in all competitions and look content to let their season fizzle out as pressure mounts on their Spanish manager.
Sam Allardyce has challenged Sunderland to end their Barclays Premier League relegation fears on Wednesday night after scrapping their way to a precious victory over Chelsea.
Juan Mata’s goal for United took Louis van Gaal’s side within one point of Manchester City in the fourth and final Champions League place.
But Sunderland’s defence then gifted Chelsea a second goal in the third minute of added first-half time. He has scored 15 of their 40 league goals this season, making him responsible for 14 of the current tally of 35 points, three short of the safety target set by Allardyce.
But his presence could not halt the slide as Chelsea suffered a humiliated 3-2 defeat against the Black Cats.
“It was a hard game but we managed to do it”, said Jermain Defoe after drilling a 70th-minute victor against Chelsea.
The 33-year-old frontman fired Sunderland to the brink of Barclays Premier League safety on Saturday with a precious victor against Chelsea, in the process taking his tally for the season to 18 goals in all competitions.
“We kept believing and showed that we are Sunderland”, said Borini.
Three minutes after Fabio Borini’s 67th-minute equaliser, Defoe, capitalising on a poor clearance from John Obi Mikel, smashed home the victor.
It could be a ideal time to play Everton after their miserable 3-1 defeat at champions Leicester City last time out left them 12th in the standings with only one win from nine games.
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Crystal Palace overturned a 1 goal deficit to seal a 2-1 victory against Stoke City at Selhurst park while Swansea city demolished West United at home – putting 4 goals past them as the game ended 4-1 in favour of the swans.
