Aftermath: Scrappy Chelsea edge past Scrappier Sunderland

There is no doubt the English Premier :League is one of the most outstanding and excellent league, both in terms of quality of talent and in terms of quality of football. But there are some games like the one played at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening between a tired and exhausted Chelsea and a relegation-threatened, miserly team whose new boss was not questioned on his abilities as a manager, but on his beliefs. And that is why possibly he himself did not have any time to do something about Sunderland AFC. Seriously a team now in real danger of getting relegated. 

Chelsea started decently as they most often do, then went to sleep, as they most often do, then played the first 10 minutes of the second half with a high tempo, as they most often do, and then went to sleep again, as they most often do. It has now become a cruel routine from them which enrages their fans, but the fans now are also starting to understand what fatigue and playing almost after every 3 days means. On the other hand, Sunderland AFC started very well, kept up a decent tempo for the first 45 minutes and then in the second half showed every bit of reason why they are where they are in the table with a completely lackluster performance that matched Chelsea fatigue levels. 

Even Paolo Di Canio said in his post-match interview that it is not the fittest squad in the world. How come? Why is'nt it? They were knocked out reasonably early in both domestic competitions, had nothing to do in Europe, and have a decent number of players on that squad. Whatever the case with the physical health of the black cats is, the mental health looks far more depleted than their physical health. And they need to pick it up, and pick it up fast. Season-ending injury to Steven Fletcher, a possibly lengthy time out for Lee Cattermole adds up to the already disappeared Wes Brown(who has'nt featured in a single league game) and  with Craig Gardner suspended for the next two games, the squad is not going to get a lot of time to get fit. The next match is they tyne-wear derby and Newcastle would be relishing the opportunity to send their rivals down to the championship and have a laugh about it. For Sunderland, maybe, 14 April would be the defining day; lose to your neighbors, possible relegation, hostile fan reaction; Paolo Di Canio is in for a really rough ride.

For Chelsea, a drab performance away at St. Mary's has been followed by three excellent wins, albeit all at home, but a win is a win and it does not matter how they come when you are going through a ridiculous fixture pile-up. To add to the misery, they are now to travel to Russia to play in the Europa League. Demba Ba has suffered an injury, the extent of which is still unknown, to his ankle. If this injury has any significant length, Chelsea are in a heap of trouble, with only one recognized striker left, they might have to consider bringing some one up from the youth ranks to go to Moscow and play, they can take that risk as they carry a healthy 2 goal lead to Moscow. Ashley Cole is not going to Moscow, Cahill certainly is'nt, Ba cant, Romeu is out for the season, so the already thin armory for Chelsea is at its thinnest now, will that prompt Rafa Benitez to bring back one of the loanees a bit earlier than expected! Desperate times call for desperate measures, may be it is time to get one of the 20+ chelsea loaned out players to return and help the first team. Who knows! 

Both teams have started a tough journey towards their season-target; both face uphill tasks and their squads are not helping them. It will be interesting to see how they go about their job, because in case of any of them not meeting their target, there is a very dark time waiting. Possible no-UCL football for Chelsea, and possible no-EPL football for Sunderland; Its hard times for both clubs, and they will need every ounce of support from their respective set of fans!