Cesc Fabregas plays in the attacking midfield three, behind Diego Costa, with Pedro not in the squad.
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Sunderland: Mannone; Yedlin, Kone, Kaboul, Van Aanholt; Kirchhoff; Borini, M’Vila, Cattermole, Khazri; DefoeSubs: Pickford, Larsson, Rodwell, N’Doye, O’Shea, Lens, Watmore.
The Dutchman was also disappointed with the referee’s decision to send captain John Terry off in stoppage time. Hiddink has urged his team not to take the game lightly, as the Sunderland side can be more risky than Spurs.
After an emphatic game against Tottenham Hotspur last time out, Chelsea will be traveling to face Sam Allardyce’s side Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light this Saturday. We didn’t do that and that let them in to the game. “We like to win every game which is not always possible”, Hiddink explained to the media after the final whistle.
“It was an odd afternoon”, Hiddink told Sky Sports.
Norwich’s defeat meant they had lost four league games in a row – all without scoring a goal.
By virtue of their loss to Sunderland, Chelsea can no longer finish any higher than ninth on the table – which would be the worst finish ever for a Premier League champion’s title defense.
“First half and part of the second half they were a bit shaky waiting for the kill”. A minute later and Hazard slipped Costa through on goal, but Mannone came out to make himself big and deny the Spain worldwide.
With two games remaining for Sunderland – one a game in hand over rivals Newcastle United – just two more points are all that are required to seal their Premier League status for next season.
Salomon Rondon gave the Baggies a 16th-minute lead but Craig Gardner spurned the chance to double the lead from the penalty spot.
South coast club Bournemouth were then indebted to Artur Boruc when the Poland goalkeeper tipped Craig Gardner’s penalty onto the crossbar.
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Guus Hiddink’s side travel to Liverpool on Wednesday before playing their final game of the season at home to newly-crowned champions Leicester on the final day of the season.
