Sunderland 1 Chelsea 3: match report
Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light on Saturday Dec 8 2012.
With Chelsea stepping up their efforts to sign a new striker in the new year this was the timeliest reminder of what Fernando Torres can do. At long last.
Four goals in two appearances in four days is an impressive return although it is a moot point as to which team he faced were worse: Danish champions FC Nordsjaelland in the Champions League or the ragbag of Sunderland who dropped into the bottom three with this defeat.
Martin O’Neill’s men were subjected to a Spanish inquisition. Two goals from Torres and another from Juan Mata resulted in a first Premier League victory, at the fourth attempt, for interim manager Rafael Benítez. Who knows, he may even outlast O’Neill.