Chelsea striker Fernando Torres attempts an overhead kick during their English Premier League clash against Sunderland at Stamford Bridge yesterday. Chelsea lost 1-2. (Reuters)

DPA/London


Chelsea’s pursuit of Liverpool in the Premier League title race suffered a surprise blow yesterday as they were beaten 2-1 by bottom side Sunderland.
The defeat, Jose Mourinho’s first in the league at home in either of his stints as Chelsea manager—a run of 77 games—leaves Chelsea two points behind Liverpool, who play Norwich City today, having played a game more.
Sunderland’s winner came from Fabio Borini, who is on loan from Liverpool. The win leaves them bottom, but just three points from safety.
Chelsea went ahead after 12 minutes, Samuel Eto’o capitalising on some sluggish defending to turn in a corner for his ninth goal of the season.
But Sunderland levelled six minutes later, a cleverly worked corner finding Marcos Alonso unmarked at the edge of the box. His shot was parried by Mark Schwarzer, but Connor Whickham stole in to nab his third goal in two games.
Vito Mannone made a string of fine saves and as Chelsea’s frustration grew, Ramires smashed his forearm into Sebastian Larsson’s face. The offence went unnoticed by referee Mike Dean, but retrospective action is likely.
Chelsea had all the pressure but, nine minutes from time, substitute Jozy Altidore was fouled by Cesar Azpilicueta, and Borini rolled in the penalty. Chelsea assistant coach Rui Faria was sent to the stands for his protests at the award.
Fulham’s hopes of avoiding relegation suffered a blow as they were beaten 3-1 by Tottenham Hotspur. The defeat leaves Felix Magath’s side two points behind fourth-bottom Norwich City.
“We have to win our home games and if we make six points it could be enough. We will stay up,” said Magath. “Maybe we have the chance of a point at Stoke.”
Spurs went ahead after 35 minutes, Paulinho deflecting in a Christian Eriksen free-kick. Fulham levelled within two minutes, though, a mix-up between Zeki Fryers and Younes Kaboul gifting the opportunity to Steve Sidwell.
But two minutes after the restart, Harry Kane restored Spurs’ lead, heading in Aaron Lennon’s cross and on 62 minutes it was three, Kaboul getting a touch on another superb delivery from Eriksen.
Swansea City moved a healthy six points clear of the drop zone after a 2-1 win away to Newcastle United.
Shola Ameobi gave Newcastle the lead midway through the first half after a one-two with Luuk de Jong, but Wilfried Bony headed in a corner to level in first-half injury-time. Bony then converted an injury-time penalty after Marvin Emnes was fouled by Cheick Tiote.
Cardiff City are second-bottom, a point behind Fulham, after drawing 1-1 at home to Stoke City. Marco Arnautovic put Stoke ahead from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time after Peter Odemwingie had tumbled under a Kim Bo-kyung challenge.
“I felt what I felt at the time, that it was not a penalty, but I accept that Howard has got to make a decision there and then,” said Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. “For us, it galvanised everyone in the dressing room. We felt hard done by.”
Peter Whittingham levelled with another penalty five minutes after half-time, following a foul by Stephen Nzonzi on Fraizer Campbell.
Aston Villa are still not out of danger, four points off third bottom, after a 0-0 draw with Southampton. Crystal Palace won their fifth game in a row, 1-0 at West Ham, Mile Jedinak getting the only goal from the penalty spot.




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