It was an embarrassing performance for the Blues as Sunderland beat Chelsea 2-1 at home on Saturday at Stamford Bridge. The fans have taken to social media to slam the players for their struggles to find the net on the day.
Alejandro Garnacho got the home team off to a great start in the 4th minute when he picked up a low pass, drove past Malo Mukiele, and scored with his left foot from a tight angle past goalkeeper Robin Roefs. Sunderland equalized in the 22nd minute with a long throw-in. Mukiele threw the ball deep, and Wilson Isidor tapped it in front of Robert Sanchez to level the match.
Late in the game, Brian Brobbey showed his targetman quality. He stopped play in Chelsea’s box and laid it on Chemsdine Talbi at the edge of the area. Talbi curled a side-footed shot into the bottom right corner to score the game-winning goal. The win puts Sunderland in second place in the league.
Chelsea couldn’t keep control after that good start. Sunderland got better as the game went on, and their defense kept the Blues from scoring any more goals at home. Enzo Maresca’s men had more chances to shoot, but their final third play wasn’t accurate or coordinated. Sunderland took advantage of set pieces, especially the long throw that led to the equalizer. The visitors haven’t won many games at Stamford Bridge in the past; their last league win there was in 2014.
After the game, there was widespread fan unrest on social media, with many Chelsea fans criticizing the team’s performance and tactical choices.
Chelsea fans react to Sunderland loss
Fans on social media slammed the Chelsea players for their performance. One fan said:
“Toothless display with a toothless atmosphere. They wanted it, we didn’t, it’s as simple as that.”
Another added:
“That’s another newly promoted manager from the Championship that’s tactically outclassed Maresca. Shame.”
A third added:
“Awful performance. Multiple players looking a shadow of their best selves.”
Yet another noted:
“Does anyone else find it just a little bit insane that apart from Caicedo and Reece, our next two players that we’re hanging our hat on and putting all the responsibility to perform are 19 year old Acheampong and 18 year old Estevao?”
This fan was unhappy:
“Need an explanation of why Acheampong was taken off for Tosin when we are chasing the win in the 76th minute. At home?”