Guardian:
Sunderland's survival party outshines even the golden boot of Nicolas Anelka
Sunderland 2 Richardson 53, Jones 90 Chelsea 3 Anelka 47, Kalou 74, Cole, A 86
Louise Taylor at the Stadium of Light
This was quite an afternoon by the sun-dappled Wear, containing a resignation, a celebration, a farewell and a world-class goal from England's newly anointed Golden Boot.
Ricky Sbragia resigned as Sunderland's manager minutes after the final whistle, relieved fans delighted in top-flight salvation, Guus Hiddink bid a somewhat wistful goodbye to the Premier League and Nicolas Anelka rose to the top of the scoring charts.
"Mr Hiddink, Sunderland are looking for a new manager," said someone. "Please take the job." The outgoing Chelsea coach – Hiddink returns to his day job in charge of Russia after this weekend's FA Cup final – smiled broadly and jokingly demanded, "Quick, where's the chairman?"
Niall Quinn last night said he would "take time" to select a replacement for Sbragia but the Sunderland chairman – who will be able to entice the new manager with a significant transfer war chest once the Irish-American billionaire Ellis Short completes his buy-out of the club within the next fortnight – should first reflect on an extremely lucky escape courtesy of Newcastle's failings.
The inexperienced Sbragia should never have been appointed as Roy Keane's successor and, as rumours about Martin Jol, Steve McClaren and Slaven Bilic began to do the Wearside rounds, Quinn acknowledged as much.
Announcing that Sbragia had agreed to revert to his old role as a coach, the emotional, typically eloquent Irishman enthused. "Ricky's got a job for life here. He's given this club a lifeline. But we're a massive football club and now we need a big name who can change the mentality of the dressing room. We need a big man who can take the pressure."
Sbragia revealed he had decided to quit during a chat with Quinn at 3pm on Saturday. "I was thinking about Sunderland football club," he said. "To take the next step they need a bigger name. I felt it was time to go." he said.
Not for the first time this season he opted for an ultra-defensive formation, leaving a strong Chelsea side – Frank Lampard, nursing a slight knee injury was the sole major absentee – monopolising possession to no great effect during a first half which really came to life only as a roar resounded around the ground indicating that Aston Villa had taken the lead against Newcastle.
The afternoon's first outpouring of tasteless songs mocking Alan Shearer immediately ensued but seemed rather too much like tempting fate. Such ditties duly caught in the throat early in the second period when Anelka scored the sort of goal that defies superlatives. Collecting the ball near the halfway line, the French international slalomed forward, his elegant stride wrong-footing the suddenly irrelevant looking Teemu Tainio.
With Anton Ferdinand opting to stand off him a little, Anelka eyed the angles and realised he had sufficient space to direct the cleanest of right-foot shots into the top corner from just outside the area.
It boosted his Premier League goal tally to 19 for the season, thereby putting him one ahead of Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.
"A world-class goal," said Hiddink. "It was enjoyable to see, especially as Nicolas getting the golden shoe was something we had talked about at half-time." Chelsea, meanwhile, must still wait on Carlo Ancelotti, who said he would wait until Milan's final match on Sunday before deciding his future.
Sunderland, finally forced to emerge from their shell, swiftly equalised. It was not a moment Petr Cech will care to remember, Chelsea's goalkeeper coming out and missing a Grant Leadbitter cross under pressure from Kenwyne Jones before Kieran Richardson directed the loose ball into the net.
Parity proved short-lived as Dean Whitehead's attempted headed clearance fell kindly for Salomon Kalou. The substitute let the ball drop before sending it curving into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Ashley Cole emphasised Chelsea's dominance by half-volleying beyond Marton Fulop after Malouda nudged Anelka's headed flick into his path but Jones connected with an Andy Reid cross to thump a header beyond Cech and add a semblance of respectability to the scoreline.
All that remained was for Sunderland's fortunately reprieved underachievers to perform an inadvertently comedic lap of honour serenaded by pumping music in front of wildly exultant fans. Hiddink has seen most things but even he was slightly taken aback, remarking: "Curious," before reflecting. "I've loved every minute of the Premier League."
Quinn and Short should give serious consideration to kidnapping him.
Man of the match Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
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Independent:
Sbragia quits as Sunderland revel in rivals' demise
Sunderland 2 Chelsea 3
By Michael Walker
They lost the game and they lost their manager Ricky Sbragia, and yet they celebrated. They celebrated as if they had won the World Cup, the Grand National and the Olympic 1500 metres all on the same day. Sunderland have survived in the Premier League and despite suffering an eighth defeat in their last 10 matches, the news from Villa Park that arch-rivals Newcastle were losing and were relegated was enough to send Wearside into delirium.
Sbragia stepping back into the coaching set-up from which he emerged reluctantly in December following Roy Keane's walk-out was a surprise to no one. Despite an initial uplift in results – two four-goal victories over West Brom and Hull – Sbragia looked less comfortable the day his tenure was made permanent.
That has been reflected in three wins in the 19 league games since. Sunderland stayed up due to the deficiencies of others. "I'm delighted, not sad," Sbragia said. "I could've been selfish and kept it but I was thinking about Sunderland.
"For them to take the step to the next level they need a bigger name. I felt it was time to go, it was me who suggested it. My brief was to keep Sunderland in the Premier League."
Sbragia did that, and he is a good man. But Sunderland need a makeover. Superficially, losing 3-2 to a side of Chelsea's strength sounds laudable, but Chelsea, were conserving themselves for Saturday's FA Cup final. Frank Lampard was left in London. He will be fit for Everton.
Alan Shearer taking Newcastle down on the day that Sunderland stay up is the stuff of prayers round here. It is only three years since Shearer played his last ever game, on this ground, a 4-1 Newcastle victory that capped Sunderland's 15-point season. That will never be forgotten.
A third relegation in five seasons was a possibility but the club has survived the buckling effect of Keane's exit and the man whom Keane blamed that on, Ellis Short, was here yesterday to witness the club he is about to seize full control of.
Chelsea forced three corners in the first eight minutes, Michael Essien hit the side-netting and Didier Drogba provoked the first of three decent first-half saves from Sunderland keeper Marton Fulop.
In first-half injury-time Florent Malouda struck the crossbar, so though there was tribal glee at news from Villa, Sunderland were not there yet. Two minutes after the interval, reality bit anew. Nicolas Anelka buried a sweet shot from 20 yards. It was Anelka's 19th of the season, one more than Cristiano Ronaldo, and Anelka finishes as the division's top scorer.
Kieran Richardson equalised six minutes later but Salomon Kalou made it 2-1 on 74 minutes and after more weak home defending, Ashley Cole made it three. In the 90th minute Kenwyne Jones headed in a brilliant Andy Reid cross and there was then a wait for confirmation of survival. When it came Wearside erupted.
Sunderland (4-4-1-1) Fulop; Bardsley, Ferdinand, Davenport, Collins; Malbranque (Healy, 79), Tainio (Reid, 65), Whitehead, Leadbitter; Richardson (Murphy 87); Jones. Substitutes not used: Colgan, McShane, Edwards, Cisse
Chelsea (4-3-3) Cech; Boswinga, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Essien (Kalou, 65) Mikel (Mancienne, 79) Belletti (Ballack, 27); Anelka, Drogba, Malouda. Substitutes not used: Hilario, Stoch, Sinclair, Di Santo
Referee: M Halsey (Hertfordshire)
Booked: Sunderland Bardsley; Chelsea Cole
Man of the match: Mikel
Attendance: 42,468
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Mail:
Sunderland 2 Chelsea 3: Black Cats survivors go crazy - after losing
by COLIN YOUNG
Sunderland kept their part of the bargain on Survival Sunday and, as expected, signed off with a wholehearted defeat in front of their desperate fans.
And yet the scenes which greeted Newcastle’s loss at Villa Park — and the Villa winner for that matter — were more akin to a side who had won the league. And that says it all about Sunderland and this pitiful season. They even had the cheek to go on a lap of honour.
They did not clinch the title but Sunderland may have just won the lottery. With Ellis Short expected to take over as owner in the next week, the club will now officially look for a new manager to replace Ricky Sbragia, who stood down after the game. And Short will provide cash to rebuild a team which should never have been involved in such a day of drama.
Short, who could barely stop applauding after the final whistle and will be smiling for weeks, has serious money and will be very serious about spending it. Players who sheepishly took to the field to take the applause beware.
When news of Newcastle’s demise finally reached the Stadium of Light even the normally level-headed Niall Quinn lost the plot. With the club’s faithful going through a full repertoire of anti-Geordie and Alan Shearer ditties, the Sunderland chairman took high fives and hugs from Short and anyone else wearing a red tie and a smile. Even Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon got in on the act.
But what was there to celebrate? It should not be forgotten that Sunderland have arguably been the biggest disappointments of the three North East clubs, even though they are now the region’s sole representatives in the top flight.
There is no excuse for their sorry season. One win out of the last 13 games, form which means they deserve to be relegated, and there has been no behind-the-scenes turmoil to use as the excuse which will be coming out of St James’ Park.
The only upset came when Roy Keane departed as boss, but that was supposed to be a blessed relief for the players who had stopped playing for him. Instead, arguably the best group of players in Sunderland’s history have survived by default and the defeat against Chelsea, their 10th at home this season, was typical of the displays fans have endured.
Plucky, but not good enough.
Chelsea took Sunderland apart at will early on. After winning three corners in the opening 10 minutes, Didier Drogba forced a smart save from Marton Fulop before Grant Leadbitter forced a save at the other end.
Perhaps mindful that one goal was important to Nicolas Anelka, Chelsea increased the tempo and the French striker’s terrific 47th-minute strike, which flew past Fulop and into his top corner, was a crucial 19th goal of the season, taking him one ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo for the Golden Boot award.
‘We had a word about it at halftime,’ said Guus Hiddink after his final league game as Chelsea boss. ‘I said if we can help him get the Golden Boot in England that would be good for him and the team. We had to be tactically different and it is very enjoyable to see. We were here for the win but it was good for Nicolas and he deserves it.’
Chelsea had a scare when Kieran Richardson finally managed a shot on target, scrambling home from close range after John Terry had again failed to deal with a high ball.
Kenwyne Jones was also in the mood for once and deserved his 90th-minute goal. But Chelsea had three by then, securing a fine second with Salomon Kalou’s excellent strike through a crowd of players after Sunderland had failed to clear a routine corner from Drogba.
Ashley Cole scored the third with his right foot after the Sunderland defence made a mess of dealing with a long and hopeful pass. And although Jones’ headed goal brought Sunderland’s supporters to life, it failed to do the same for the players in red and white.
Hiddink, who rested Alex and Frank Lampard before next week’s FA Cup final, could only reflect on the crazy scenes at the end. As a stranger in a strange land, the Dutchman clearly loved it.
Hiddink said: ‘I have seen the Premier League from outside and the inside now and it’s one of the most attractive leagues in the world. I have enjoyed every minute of it and of course I will miss it.
‘It was a tremendous atmosphere today. Sunderland are a good club with great support. It is a little curious that they were applauding after a defeat but it was a signal that people really support the club and it was nice to have that experience for me here.’
Match FactsSUNDERLAND (4-5-1): Fulop 6; Bardsley 6, Ferdinand 7, Davenport 6, Collins 7; Malbranque 7 (Healy 78min), Tainio 6 (Reid 65, 8), Whitehead 5, Richardson 6 (Murphy 87), Leadbitter 7; Jones 8. Booked: Bardsley.
CHELSEA (4-3-3): Cech 7; Bosingwa 7, Terry 6, Ivanovic 6, Cole 7; Essien 8 (Kalou 65, 6), Mikel 7 (Mancienne 79), Belletti 5 (Ballack 27, 7); Anelka 8, Drogba 6, Malouda 7. Booked: Cole.
Man of the match: Nicolas Anelka.
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Telegraph:
Sunderland 2 Chelsea 3: Match report By Rob Stewart at Stadium of Light
They have surely never seen anything like this euphoria at the Stadium of Light and probably never will again after this narrow escape from relegation that saw survival celebrated and their arch-rivals fall from grace celebrated.
Their team might have failed to secure the win that would have guaranteed their own survival but such a small matter was not going to allow the wild celebrations to be dampened thanks to Newcastle’s downfall and Damien Duff’s own-goal at Villa Park.
Sunderland must beat Chelsea or else says Teemu TainioAngst-ridden Sunderland supporters had been given precious little to shout about by their own team’s exploits but not even Nicolas Anelka’s Golden Boot-winning goal could dampen their celebrations.
The festivities had begun in an surreal turn of events, the ground suddenly burst into life when news filtered through that Newcastle had gone behind at Villa Park and fans embraced one another while others burst into song, toasting their arch-rivals’ demise.
Frank Lampard may have been left at home to get some well earned rest but his absence did nothing to prevent Chelsea dominating their lowly opponents even though Guus Hiddink’s side may have the FA Cup on their minds.
The Sunderland struggled to cope with Didier Drogba and he went close twice in the opening exchanges, lifting lob onto roof of net before seeing a powerful volley punched away by Marton Fulop.
The Hungarian saved brilliantly to deny Drogba turn and then Florent Malouda before half-time as the Chelsea intensified as the carnival atmosphere enveloped the ground.
Fulop’s resistance was broken in the 47th minute by Anelka who sidestepped Danny Collins just inside the Sunderland half before advancing and unleashing a rising 25-yard shot that sped past the goalkeeper for his 19th goal this term.
The Sunderland response was impressive as Petr Cech spilt Grant Leadbitter’s cross under pressure from lone striker Kenwyne Jones and Richardson was on hand to ram the loose ball through sea of legs for a 53rd-minute equaliser.
It was a goal that had Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn punching the air on the front row of the directors where he sat alongside Ellis Short, the club’s Texan-based majority shareholder who is poised to complete his takeover.
Their celebrations were cut-short, though, as Salomon Kalou ensured Chelsea finished on a winning note when he beat Fulop with a viciously struck 20-yard shot in the 74th-minute.
Ashley Cole doubled the lead when he finished off a counter-attack by cracking a low shot beyond in the 86th-minute with the Sunderland defence at sixes and sevens.
Jones reduced the deficit in the 90th-minute when he nodded in Andy Reid’s in-swinging cross but nothing could spoil the party that followed Mark Halsey’s final whistle following what is expected to be Ricky Sbragia’s final game in charge.
“Come On Villa, Come on Villa” echoed around Wearside before Newcastle’s fate was sealed, celebrations broke out everywhere and the party began in earnest, led by local hero Quinn, while fans sang “Let’s All Laugh at Shearer”.
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Times:
Ellis Short offers Sunderland hope in long runSunderland 2 Chelsea 3George Caulkin
Ellis Short was in the directors’ box, wearing the smile of a billionaire along with his red-and-white club tie. Sitting beside him was his son, also called Ellis – and before you ask, yes, they are American – who had been mascot for a day that began with trepidation, ended with Sunderland vanquished but safe, the departure of Ricky Sbragia as manager and the onset of a new era.
Short’s position as Sunderland’s sole owner will be confirmed this week, an arrangement that officially concludes the Drumaville Consortium’s three-year stewardship at the Stadium of Light. Short is an Irish-Texan businessman who means business; already he is promising a new management structure of international repute and that nervous final days such as these will never again be endured.
Wealth is no guarantee of success, of course – Mike Ashley, for one, can attest to that – but Short already has a solid mix of football and enterprise in the boardroom (where Niall Quinn will remain as chairman) and, unlike his counterpart at Newcastle United, he recognises that a club’s regeneration cannot be achieved on the cheap. Wearside is set for another hectic summer.
The process of recruiting a manager to succeed Sbragia – the Scot will consider a recruitment role at the club and, says Quinn, “has a job for life” – is yet to start, although some names can be ruled out of the running. Neither Steve McClaren, the former England head coach, nor Gordon Strachan, at Celtic, are under consideration. Before his move from Alkmaar to Bayern Munich, Louis van Gaal was a target.
“We haven’t sat down to think about a manager, never mind set up a list,” Quinn said. “But we do need a big name here and someone who will change the mentality of that dressing room. We haven’t got a timescale. We are a massive football club and we need a big man to take on the mantle, to handle the pressure, the task of taking a big club forward. We’ll stop at nothing to ensure this club gets to where it has to go.”
It will be a long journey. Immunity from relegation was celebrated vigorously – as it should be – but Sunderland claimed only a single victory from their last 13 matches and only three in Sbragia’s 19 fixtures as permanent manager. Newcastle’s downfall brought further revelry, yet Quinn and Short’s vision for the club does not encompass frantic supporters clutching radios to their ears late into May.
Short, who was a minority shareholder at the time, invested more than £30 million last summer on players such as Anton Ferdinand, Pascal Chimbonda, El-Hadji Diouf, George McCartney and Steed Malbranque, who have variously disappointed, been injured or been sold, and many of the others have not lived up to their own self-inflated reputations.
“It’s been an incredibly emotional day,” Quinn said. “Ensuring we stayed up was absolutely massive and gives us a new lease of life to build on in the future. Ricky had the guts to take over at a very difficult time when we were already in the bottom three and unexpectedly left without a manager. He’s achieved the goal we set him and the implications of that are absolutely enormous.”
“My decision was all about Sunderland and allowing them to take the next step and get a bigger name, it’s as simple as that,” Sbragia said. “My brief was to keep the club up and we’ve done that, so I’m delighted. It’s not about me. I spoke to Niall about it yesterday. It’s about time we changed the mentality of the club in general, moved up the table and became a force in the Premier League.”
Chelsea, too, have reached the end of an era. This was Guus Hiddink’s last league game in the dugout for Chelsea, although there is a small matter of next weekend’s FA Cup Final to come. Frank Lampard – missing in the Barclays Premier League for the first time this season – will return from a minor knee injury at Wembley, as will Alex. Juliano Belletti was substituted with a thigh complaint.
As it transpired, the match itself was an entertaining irrelevance – Damien Duff’s own goal for Newcastle was hailed as loudly as anything else. Nicolas Anelka’s 47th-minute screamer brought him the division’s Golden Boot and Kieran Richardson equalised before Salomon Kalou and Ashley Cole took Chelsea out of sight. In the final seconds, Kenwyne Jones scored with a fine glancing header.
“I have enjoyed every moment of it,” Hiddink, the interim manager, said. “I have now seen the Premier League from the outside and the inside and I will miss it. It’s the most attractive league in the world, along with Spain’s. I have been at a great club, a great organisation. Chelsea has a good squad and team, but they must improve in depth because to compete on three roads, you need quality all over the place.”
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): M Fulop 6 P Bardsley 6 A Ferdinand 5 C Davenport 5 D Collins 7 D Whitehead 5 T Tainio 6 S Malbranque 7 K Richardson 6 G Leadbitter 7 K Jones 6 Substitutes: A Reid 6 (for Tainio, 65min), D Healy (for Malbranque, 78), D Murphy (for Richardson, 87). Not used: C Edwards, D Cissé, P McShane, N Colgan.
Chelsea (4-3-3): P Cech 4 B Ivanovic 5 J Terry 6 J Bosingwa 6 A Cole 7 M Essien 6 J Belletti 4 J O Mikel 6 D Drogba 6 N Anelka 7 F Malouda 7 Substitutes: M Ballack 6 (for Belletti, 27min), S Kalou 6 (for Essien, 65), M Mancienne (for Mikel, 78). Not used: Hilário, F Di Santo, S Sinclair, M Stoch.
Referee M Halsey Attendance 42,468
Players of the season
Sunderland Kieran Richardson
Selected by England too early, Richardson, 24, is finally producing consistently fine performances in central midfield.
Chelsea Frank Lampard
Arguably the best Premier League player this season. Kept Chelsea going almost single-handedly through their mid-season crisis.
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Sun:
Sunderland 2 Chelsea 3
By STEVE BRENNER
Published: 24 May 2009 THIS will go down as the greatest defeat in Sunderland's history.
The Black Cats could not care less that Chelsea romped home with ease.
It was their eighth defeat in the last 10 - and the Wearsiders finished just two points above the drop zone.
And the Mackem fans were not fussed that Ricky Sbragia quit at the final whistle following just three wins in 19 matches, leaving Sunderland to search for their fifth boss in as many years.
No, all that mattered was the news from Villa Park. Arch-rivals Newcastle had been relegated. Oh, how they laughed.
An alien dropping into the Stadium of Light yesterday would have thought the Black Cats had won the Premier League title.
Everyone was going bonkers. Totally crazy. And that in itself is a little bit sad.
It says something about Sunderland's lack of progress this season that someone else's demise is the only thing to really get them going.
Guus Hiddink's Blues never got out of second gear yesterday. They did not really have to.
Yes, Kieran Richardson quickly cancelled out Nicolas Anelka's opener but the hosts were always well off the pace.
Salomon Kalou restored the lead with a cracking 74th-minute finish before Ashley Cole made it three with a close-range effort with four minutes left.
Kenwyne Jones pulled one back at the closing stages but the Black Cats, as they have more most of a season in which Roy Keane vowed would see them "reach another level, deserved nothing.
Take nothing away from Chelsea. Hiddink has quickly moulded one hell of a clinical Blue machine.
Everton will face a real battle in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
While everything at Stamford Bridge is pointing towards the right direction, Sunderland are back in a mess and a major summer of change awaits.
Texan billionaire Ellis Short, who is set to take full control of the club this week, certainly saw the best and the worst of the Mackems yesterday.
The reclusive American was cosied up next to Niall Quinn in the directors' box and would have instantly realised what needs to be done.
He saw Sbragia's strugglers huff and puff with no direction and purpose in the first half.
He saw Jones fail to get a sniff against the imperious John Terry and that just how much a decent striker is needed to make sure a season like this is not repeated.
But, crucially, what was also evident for Short was a football club roared on by some of the most passionate fans in the land.
Sbragia had to go. He was never going to take the club to where Quinn wants them.
But he kept them up. Now it is up to someone else to help them kick on.
The framework is there. What Sunderland need is a big-time boss to drive them forward.
Add in some clever signings and get rid of the dead wood brought in by Keane and Short will have some potential to play with. It will not be easy.
Of course, Chelsea will always be a million miles away from the likes of Sunderland.
And they were certainly bang on top during the first 45 minutes.
Didier Drogba, Anelka and Florent Malouda enjoyed plenty of possession. Drog cheekily chipped over on eight minutes and from there on, Hiddink's men bossed the game without really testing Marton Fulop.
The Black Cats faithful had little to cheer about until the 37th minute and it had nothing to do with anything being played out at the Stadium of Light.
As news filtered out that despised Newcastle were losing, mayhem broke out in the stands. "Cheer up, Alan Shearer" was one of the printable ditties about the Toon's plight.
It was party time as the fans sloped off for a half-time brew. One was actually wearing a Villa shirt. Two minutes after the restart though, Chelsea wiped some smiles from faces.
Anelka brilliantly weaved himself into the box before slotting in a cracker from 20 yards for his 19th league goal of the season to earn him the Prem's Golden Boot accolade.
Suddenly the nerves were back on Wearside.
But Petr Cech handed them a way back in when he flapped at Grant Leadbitter's cross and Richardson gleefully slotted home.
And, up in the posh seats, Short and Quinn were jumping for joy. It did not last though as Sunderland quickly reverted to type.
Kalou and Cole struck with sweet finishes before Jones headed in a brilliant Andy Reid centre to pull one back.
But results elsewhere made this game meaningless.
Hiddink can go to Wembley and the FA Cup final on a high while Sbragia is running for the hills a broken man.
Sunderland's survival party outshines even the golden boot of Nicolas Anelka
Sunderland 2 Richardson 53, Jones 90 Chelsea 3 Anelka 47, Kalou 74, Cole, A 86
Louise Taylor at the Stadium of Light
This was quite an afternoon by the sun-dappled Wear, containing a resignation, a celebration, a farewell and a world-class goal from England's newly anointed Golden Boot.
Ricky Sbragia resigned as Sunderland's manager minutes after the final whistle, relieved fans delighted in top-flight salvation, Guus Hiddink bid a somewhat wistful goodbye to the Premier League and Nicolas Anelka rose to the top of the scoring charts.
"Mr Hiddink, Sunderland are looking for a new manager," said someone. "Please take the job." The outgoing Chelsea coach – Hiddink returns to his day job in charge of Russia after this weekend's FA Cup final – smiled broadly and jokingly demanded, "Quick, where's the chairman?"
Niall Quinn last night said he would "take time" to select a replacement for Sbragia but the Sunderland chairman – who will be able to entice the new manager with a significant transfer war chest once the Irish-American billionaire Ellis Short completes his buy-out of the club within the next fortnight – should first reflect on an extremely lucky escape courtesy of Newcastle's failings.
The inexperienced Sbragia should never have been appointed as Roy Keane's successor and, as rumours about Martin Jol, Steve McClaren and Slaven Bilic began to do the Wearside rounds, Quinn acknowledged as much.
Announcing that Sbragia had agreed to revert to his old role as a coach, the emotional, typically eloquent Irishman enthused. "Ricky's got a job for life here. He's given this club a lifeline. But we're a massive football club and now we need a big name who can change the mentality of the dressing room. We need a big man who can take the pressure."
Sbragia revealed he had decided to quit during a chat with Quinn at 3pm on Saturday. "I was thinking about Sunderland football club," he said. "To take the next step they need a bigger name. I felt it was time to go." he said.
Not for the first time this season he opted for an ultra-defensive formation, leaving a strong Chelsea side – Frank Lampard, nursing a slight knee injury was the sole major absentee – monopolising possession to no great effect during a first half which really came to life only as a roar resounded around the ground indicating that Aston Villa had taken the lead against Newcastle.
The afternoon's first outpouring of tasteless songs mocking Alan Shearer immediately ensued but seemed rather too much like tempting fate. Such ditties duly caught in the throat early in the second period when Anelka scored the sort of goal that defies superlatives. Collecting the ball near the halfway line, the French international slalomed forward, his elegant stride wrong-footing the suddenly irrelevant looking Teemu Tainio.
With Anton Ferdinand opting to stand off him a little, Anelka eyed the angles and realised he had sufficient space to direct the cleanest of right-foot shots into the top corner from just outside the area.
It boosted his Premier League goal tally to 19 for the season, thereby putting him one ahead of Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.
"A world-class goal," said Hiddink. "It was enjoyable to see, especially as Nicolas getting the golden shoe was something we had talked about at half-time." Chelsea, meanwhile, must still wait on Carlo Ancelotti, who said he would wait until Milan's final match on Sunday before deciding his future.
Sunderland, finally forced to emerge from their shell, swiftly equalised. It was not a moment Petr Cech will care to remember, Chelsea's goalkeeper coming out and missing a Grant Leadbitter cross under pressure from Kenwyne Jones before Kieran Richardson directed the loose ball into the net.
Parity proved short-lived as Dean Whitehead's attempted headed clearance fell kindly for Salomon Kalou. The substitute let the ball drop before sending it curving into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Ashley Cole emphasised Chelsea's dominance by half-volleying beyond Marton Fulop after Malouda nudged Anelka's headed flick into his path but Jones connected with an Andy Reid cross to thump a header beyond Cech and add a semblance of respectability to the scoreline.
All that remained was for Sunderland's fortunately reprieved underachievers to perform an inadvertently comedic lap of honour serenaded by pumping music in front of wildly exultant fans. Hiddink has seen most things but even he was slightly taken aback, remarking: "Curious," before reflecting. "I've loved every minute of the Premier League."
Quinn and Short should give serious consideration to kidnapping him.
Man of the match Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
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Independent:
Sbragia quits as Sunderland revel in rivals' demise
Sunderland 2 Chelsea 3
By Michael Walker
They lost the game and they lost their manager Ricky Sbragia, and yet they celebrated. They celebrated as if they had won the World Cup, the Grand National and the Olympic 1500 metres all on the same day. Sunderland have survived in the Premier League and despite suffering an eighth defeat in their last 10 matches, the news from Villa Park that arch-rivals Newcastle were losing and were relegated was enough to send Wearside into delirium.
Sbragia stepping back into the coaching set-up from which he emerged reluctantly in December following Roy Keane's walk-out was a surprise to no one. Despite an initial uplift in results – two four-goal victories over West Brom and Hull – Sbragia looked less comfortable the day his tenure was made permanent.
That has been reflected in three wins in the 19 league games since. Sunderland stayed up due to the deficiencies of others. "I'm delighted, not sad," Sbragia said. "I could've been selfish and kept it but I was thinking about Sunderland.
"For them to take the step to the next level they need a bigger name. I felt it was time to go, it was me who suggested it. My brief was to keep Sunderland in the Premier League."
Sbragia did that, and he is a good man. But Sunderland need a makeover. Superficially, losing 3-2 to a side of Chelsea's strength sounds laudable, but Chelsea, were conserving themselves for Saturday's FA Cup final. Frank Lampard was left in London. He will be fit for Everton.
Alan Shearer taking Newcastle down on the day that Sunderland stay up is the stuff of prayers round here. It is only three years since Shearer played his last ever game, on this ground, a 4-1 Newcastle victory that capped Sunderland's 15-point season. That will never be forgotten.
A third relegation in five seasons was a possibility but the club has survived the buckling effect of Keane's exit and the man whom Keane blamed that on, Ellis Short, was here yesterday to witness the club he is about to seize full control of.
Chelsea forced three corners in the first eight minutes, Michael Essien hit the side-netting and Didier Drogba provoked the first of three decent first-half saves from Sunderland keeper Marton Fulop.
In first-half injury-time Florent Malouda struck the crossbar, so though there was tribal glee at news from Villa, Sunderland were not there yet. Two minutes after the interval, reality bit anew. Nicolas Anelka buried a sweet shot from 20 yards. It was Anelka's 19th of the season, one more than Cristiano Ronaldo, and Anelka finishes as the division's top scorer.
Kieran Richardson equalised six minutes later but Salomon Kalou made it 2-1 on 74 minutes and after more weak home defending, Ashley Cole made it three. In the 90th minute Kenwyne Jones headed in a brilliant Andy Reid cross and there was then a wait for confirmation of survival. When it came Wearside erupted.
Sunderland (4-4-1-1) Fulop; Bardsley, Ferdinand, Davenport, Collins; Malbranque (Healy, 79), Tainio (Reid, 65), Whitehead, Leadbitter; Richardson (Murphy 87); Jones. Substitutes not used: Colgan, McShane, Edwards, Cisse
Chelsea (4-3-3) Cech; Boswinga, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Essien (Kalou, 65) Mikel (Mancienne, 79) Belletti (Ballack, 27); Anelka, Drogba, Malouda. Substitutes not used: Hilario, Stoch, Sinclair, Di Santo
Referee: M Halsey (Hertfordshire)
Booked: Sunderland Bardsley; Chelsea Cole
Man of the match: Mikel
Attendance: 42,468
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Mail:
Sunderland 2 Chelsea 3: Black Cats survivors go crazy - after losing
by COLIN YOUNG
Sunderland kept their part of the bargain on Survival Sunday and, as expected, signed off with a wholehearted defeat in front of their desperate fans.
And yet the scenes which greeted Newcastle’s loss at Villa Park — and the Villa winner for that matter — were more akin to a side who had won the league. And that says it all about Sunderland and this pitiful season. They even had the cheek to go on a lap of honour.
They did not clinch the title but Sunderland may have just won the lottery. With Ellis Short expected to take over as owner in the next week, the club will now officially look for a new manager to replace Ricky Sbragia, who stood down after the game. And Short will provide cash to rebuild a team which should never have been involved in such a day of drama.
Short, who could barely stop applauding after the final whistle and will be smiling for weeks, has serious money and will be very serious about spending it. Players who sheepishly took to the field to take the applause beware.
When news of Newcastle’s demise finally reached the Stadium of Light even the normally level-headed Niall Quinn lost the plot. With the club’s faithful going through a full repertoire of anti-Geordie and Alan Shearer ditties, the Sunderland chairman took high fives and hugs from Short and anyone else wearing a red tie and a smile. Even Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon got in on the act.
But what was there to celebrate? It should not be forgotten that Sunderland have arguably been the biggest disappointments of the three North East clubs, even though they are now the region’s sole representatives in the top flight.
There is no excuse for their sorry season. One win out of the last 13 games, form which means they deserve to be relegated, and there has been no behind-the-scenes turmoil to use as the excuse which will be coming out of St James’ Park.
The only upset came when Roy Keane departed as boss, but that was supposed to be a blessed relief for the players who had stopped playing for him. Instead, arguably the best group of players in Sunderland’s history have survived by default and the defeat against Chelsea, their 10th at home this season, was typical of the displays fans have endured.
Plucky, but not good enough.
Chelsea took Sunderland apart at will early on. After winning three corners in the opening 10 minutes, Didier Drogba forced a smart save from Marton Fulop before Grant Leadbitter forced a save at the other end.
Perhaps mindful that one goal was important to Nicolas Anelka, Chelsea increased the tempo and the French striker’s terrific 47th-minute strike, which flew past Fulop and into his top corner, was a crucial 19th goal of the season, taking him one ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo for the Golden Boot award.
‘We had a word about it at halftime,’ said Guus Hiddink after his final league game as Chelsea boss. ‘I said if we can help him get the Golden Boot in England that would be good for him and the team. We had to be tactically different and it is very enjoyable to see. We were here for the win but it was good for Nicolas and he deserves it.’
Chelsea had a scare when Kieran Richardson finally managed a shot on target, scrambling home from close range after John Terry had again failed to deal with a high ball.
Kenwyne Jones was also in the mood for once and deserved his 90th-minute goal. But Chelsea had three by then, securing a fine second with Salomon Kalou’s excellent strike through a crowd of players after Sunderland had failed to clear a routine corner from Drogba.
Ashley Cole scored the third with his right foot after the Sunderland defence made a mess of dealing with a long and hopeful pass. And although Jones’ headed goal brought Sunderland’s supporters to life, it failed to do the same for the players in red and white.
Hiddink, who rested Alex and Frank Lampard before next week’s FA Cup final, could only reflect on the crazy scenes at the end. As a stranger in a strange land, the Dutchman clearly loved it.
Hiddink said: ‘I have seen the Premier League from outside and the inside now and it’s one of the most attractive leagues in the world. I have enjoyed every minute of it and of course I will miss it.
‘It was a tremendous atmosphere today. Sunderland are a good club with great support. It is a little curious that they were applauding after a defeat but it was a signal that people really support the club and it was nice to have that experience for me here.’
Match FactsSUNDERLAND (4-5-1): Fulop 6; Bardsley 6, Ferdinand 7, Davenport 6, Collins 7; Malbranque 7 (Healy 78min), Tainio 6 (Reid 65, 8), Whitehead 5, Richardson 6 (Murphy 87), Leadbitter 7; Jones 8. Booked: Bardsley.
CHELSEA (4-3-3): Cech 7; Bosingwa 7, Terry 6, Ivanovic 6, Cole 7; Essien 8 (Kalou 65, 6), Mikel 7 (Mancienne 79), Belletti 5 (Ballack 27, 7); Anelka 8, Drogba 6, Malouda 7. Booked: Cole.
Man of the match: Nicolas Anelka.
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Telegraph:
Sunderland 2 Chelsea 3: Match report By Rob Stewart at Stadium of Light
They have surely never seen anything like this euphoria at the Stadium of Light and probably never will again after this narrow escape from relegation that saw survival celebrated and their arch-rivals fall from grace celebrated.
Their team might have failed to secure the win that would have guaranteed their own survival but such a small matter was not going to allow the wild celebrations to be dampened thanks to Newcastle’s downfall and Damien Duff’s own-goal at Villa Park.
Sunderland must beat Chelsea or else says Teemu TainioAngst-ridden Sunderland supporters had been given precious little to shout about by their own team’s exploits but not even Nicolas Anelka’s Golden Boot-winning goal could dampen their celebrations.
The festivities had begun in an surreal turn of events, the ground suddenly burst into life when news filtered through that Newcastle had gone behind at Villa Park and fans embraced one another while others burst into song, toasting their arch-rivals’ demise.
Frank Lampard may have been left at home to get some well earned rest but his absence did nothing to prevent Chelsea dominating their lowly opponents even though Guus Hiddink’s side may have the FA Cup on their minds.
The Sunderland struggled to cope with Didier Drogba and he went close twice in the opening exchanges, lifting lob onto roof of net before seeing a powerful volley punched away by Marton Fulop.
The Hungarian saved brilliantly to deny Drogba turn and then Florent Malouda before half-time as the Chelsea intensified as the carnival atmosphere enveloped the ground.
Fulop’s resistance was broken in the 47th minute by Anelka who sidestepped Danny Collins just inside the Sunderland half before advancing and unleashing a rising 25-yard shot that sped past the goalkeeper for his 19th goal this term.
The Sunderland response was impressive as Petr Cech spilt Grant Leadbitter’s cross under pressure from lone striker Kenwyne Jones and Richardson was on hand to ram the loose ball through sea of legs for a 53rd-minute equaliser.
It was a goal that had Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn punching the air on the front row of the directors where he sat alongside Ellis Short, the club’s Texan-based majority shareholder who is poised to complete his takeover.
Their celebrations were cut-short, though, as Salomon Kalou ensured Chelsea finished on a winning note when he beat Fulop with a viciously struck 20-yard shot in the 74th-minute.
Ashley Cole doubled the lead when he finished off a counter-attack by cracking a low shot beyond in the 86th-minute with the Sunderland defence at sixes and sevens.
Jones reduced the deficit in the 90th-minute when he nodded in Andy Reid’s in-swinging cross but nothing could spoil the party that followed Mark Halsey’s final whistle following what is expected to be Ricky Sbragia’s final game in charge.
“Come On Villa, Come on Villa” echoed around Wearside before Newcastle’s fate was sealed, celebrations broke out everywhere and the party began in earnest, led by local hero Quinn, while fans sang “Let’s All Laugh at Shearer”.
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Times:
Ellis Short offers Sunderland hope in long runSunderland 2 Chelsea 3George Caulkin
Ellis Short was in the directors’ box, wearing the smile of a billionaire along with his red-and-white club tie. Sitting beside him was his son, also called Ellis – and before you ask, yes, they are American – who had been mascot for a day that began with trepidation, ended with Sunderland vanquished but safe, the departure of Ricky Sbragia as manager and the onset of a new era.
Short’s position as Sunderland’s sole owner will be confirmed this week, an arrangement that officially concludes the Drumaville Consortium’s three-year stewardship at the Stadium of Light. Short is an Irish-Texan businessman who means business; already he is promising a new management structure of international repute and that nervous final days such as these will never again be endured.
Wealth is no guarantee of success, of course – Mike Ashley, for one, can attest to that – but Short already has a solid mix of football and enterprise in the boardroom (where Niall Quinn will remain as chairman) and, unlike his counterpart at Newcastle United, he recognises that a club’s regeneration cannot be achieved on the cheap. Wearside is set for another hectic summer.
The process of recruiting a manager to succeed Sbragia – the Scot will consider a recruitment role at the club and, says Quinn, “has a job for life” – is yet to start, although some names can be ruled out of the running. Neither Steve McClaren, the former England head coach, nor Gordon Strachan, at Celtic, are under consideration. Before his move from Alkmaar to Bayern Munich, Louis van Gaal was a target.
“We haven’t sat down to think about a manager, never mind set up a list,” Quinn said. “But we do need a big name here and someone who will change the mentality of that dressing room. We haven’t got a timescale. We are a massive football club and we need a big man to take on the mantle, to handle the pressure, the task of taking a big club forward. We’ll stop at nothing to ensure this club gets to where it has to go.”
It will be a long journey. Immunity from relegation was celebrated vigorously – as it should be – but Sunderland claimed only a single victory from their last 13 matches and only three in Sbragia’s 19 fixtures as permanent manager. Newcastle’s downfall brought further revelry, yet Quinn and Short’s vision for the club does not encompass frantic supporters clutching radios to their ears late into May.
Short, who was a minority shareholder at the time, invested more than £30 million last summer on players such as Anton Ferdinand, Pascal Chimbonda, El-Hadji Diouf, George McCartney and Steed Malbranque, who have variously disappointed, been injured or been sold, and many of the others have not lived up to their own self-inflated reputations.
“It’s been an incredibly emotional day,” Quinn said. “Ensuring we stayed up was absolutely massive and gives us a new lease of life to build on in the future. Ricky had the guts to take over at a very difficult time when we were already in the bottom three and unexpectedly left without a manager. He’s achieved the goal we set him and the implications of that are absolutely enormous.”
“My decision was all about Sunderland and allowing them to take the next step and get a bigger name, it’s as simple as that,” Sbragia said. “My brief was to keep the club up and we’ve done that, so I’m delighted. It’s not about me. I spoke to Niall about it yesterday. It’s about time we changed the mentality of the club in general, moved up the table and became a force in the Premier League.”
Chelsea, too, have reached the end of an era. This was Guus Hiddink’s last league game in the dugout for Chelsea, although there is a small matter of next weekend’s FA Cup Final to come. Frank Lampard – missing in the Barclays Premier League for the first time this season – will return from a minor knee injury at Wembley, as will Alex. Juliano Belletti was substituted with a thigh complaint.
As it transpired, the match itself was an entertaining irrelevance – Damien Duff’s own goal for Newcastle was hailed as loudly as anything else. Nicolas Anelka’s 47th-minute screamer brought him the division’s Golden Boot and Kieran Richardson equalised before Salomon Kalou and Ashley Cole took Chelsea out of sight. In the final seconds, Kenwyne Jones scored with a fine glancing header.
“I have enjoyed every moment of it,” Hiddink, the interim manager, said. “I have now seen the Premier League from the outside and the inside and I will miss it. It’s the most attractive league in the world, along with Spain’s. I have been at a great club, a great organisation. Chelsea has a good squad and team, but they must improve in depth because to compete on three roads, you need quality all over the place.”
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): M Fulop 6 P Bardsley 6 A Ferdinand 5 C Davenport 5 D Collins 7 D Whitehead 5 T Tainio 6 S Malbranque 7 K Richardson 6 G Leadbitter 7 K Jones 6 Substitutes: A Reid 6 (for Tainio, 65min), D Healy (for Malbranque, 78), D Murphy (for Richardson, 87). Not used: C Edwards, D Cissé, P McShane, N Colgan.
Chelsea (4-3-3): P Cech 4 B Ivanovic 5 J Terry 6 J Bosingwa 6 A Cole 7 M Essien 6 J Belletti 4 J O Mikel 6 D Drogba 6 N Anelka 7 F Malouda 7 Substitutes: M Ballack 6 (for Belletti, 27min), S Kalou 6 (for Essien, 65), M Mancienne (for Mikel, 78). Not used: Hilário, F Di Santo, S Sinclair, M Stoch.
Referee M Halsey Attendance 42,468
Players of the season
Sunderland Kieran Richardson
Selected by England too early, Richardson, 24, is finally producing consistently fine performances in central midfield.
Chelsea Frank Lampard
Arguably the best Premier League player this season. Kept Chelsea going almost single-handedly through their mid-season crisis.
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Sun:
Sunderland 2 Chelsea 3
By STEVE BRENNER
Published: 24 May 2009 THIS will go down as the greatest defeat in Sunderland's history.
The Black Cats could not care less that Chelsea romped home with ease.
It was their eighth defeat in the last 10 - and the Wearsiders finished just two points above the drop zone.
And the Mackem fans were not fussed that Ricky Sbragia quit at the final whistle following just three wins in 19 matches, leaving Sunderland to search for their fifth boss in as many years.
No, all that mattered was the news from Villa Park. Arch-rivals Newcastle had been relegated. Oh, how they laughed.
An alien dropping into the Stadium of Light yesterday would have thought the Black Cats had won the Premier League title.
Everyone was going bonkers. Totally crazy. And that in itself is a little bit sad.
It says something about Sunderland's lack of progress this season that someone else's demise is the only thing to really get them going.
Guus Hiddink's Blues never got out of second gear yesterday. They did not really have to.
Yes, Kieran Richardson quickly cancelled out Nicolas Anelka's opener but the hosts were always well off the pace.
Salomon Kalou restored the lead with a cracking 74th-minute finish before Ashley Cole made it three with a close-range effort with four minutes left.
Kenwyne Jones pulled one back at the closing stages but the Black Cats, as they have more most of a season in which Roy Keane vowed would see them "reach another level, deserved nothing.
Take nothing away from Chelsea. Hiddink has quickly moulded one hell of a clinical Blue machine.
Everton will face a real battle in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
While everything at Stamford Bridge is pointing towards the right direction, Sunderland are back in a mess and a major summer of change awaits.
Texan billionaire Ellis Short, who is set to take full control of the club this week, certainly saw the best and the worst of the Mackems yesterday.
The reclusive American was cosied up next to Niall Quinn in the directors' box and would have instantly realised what needs to be done.
He saw Sbragia's strugglers huff and puff with no direction and purpose in the first half.
He saw Jones fail to get a sniff against the imperious John Terry and that just how much a decent striker is needed to make sure a season like this is not repeated.
But, crucially, what was also evident for Short was a football club roared on by some of the most passionate fans in the land.
Sbragia had to go. He was never going to take the club to where Quinn wants them.
But he kept them up. Now it is up to someone else to help them kick on.
The framework is there. What Sunderland need is a big-time boss to drive them forward.
Add in some clever signings and get rid of the dead wood brought in by Keane and Short will have some potential to play with. It will not be easy.
Of course, Chelsea will always be a million miles away from the likes of Sunderland.
And they were certainly bang on top during the first 45 minutes.
Didier Drogba, Anelka and Florent Malouda enjoyed plenty of possession. Drog cheekily chipped over on eight minutes and from there on, Hiddink's men bossed the game without really testing Marton Fulop.
The Black Cats faithful had little to cheer about until the 37th minute and it had nothing to do with anything being played out at the Stadium of Light.
As news filtered out that despised Newcastle were losing, mayhem broke out in the stands. "Cheer up, Alan Shearer" was one of the printable ditties about the Toon's plight.
It was party time as the fans sloped off for a half-time brew. One was actually wearing a Villa shirt. Two minutes after the restart though, Chelsea wiped some smiles from faces.
Anelka brilliantly weaved himself into the box before slotting in a cracker from 20 yards for his 19th league goal of the season to earn him the Prem's Golden Boot accolade.
Suddenly the nerves were back on Wearside.
But Petr Cech handed them a way back in when he flapped at Grant Leadbitter's cross and Richardson gleefully slotted home.
And, up in the posh seats, Short and Quinn were jumping for joy. It did not last though as Sunderland quickly reverted to type.
Kalou and Cole struck with sweet finishes before Jones headed in a brilliant Andy Reid centre to pull one back.
But results elsewhere made this game meaningless.
Hiddink can go to Wembley and the FA Cup final on a high while Sbragia is running for the hills a broken man.
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