Chelsea Drop Out Of European Competition After Losing To Sunderland

 

Sunderland secured a coveted European spot after lashing Chelsea a 2-1 defeat in their season-ending game at home. 

Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Tottenham in midweek could not guarantee a European spot ahead of their trip to Sunderland. It was a complicated ending for Chelsea, following Malo Gusto's own and Wesley Fofana's dismissal in the second half. 

Trai Hume put Sunderland in the lead, finishing off Levi Colwill's header following a challenge for an aerial ball. The winger volleyed the ball into the left corner to beat Robert Danchez to the goal. The second goal followed from Malo Gustos's defensive error shortly after halftime. 

Moments after Brian Brobbey's one-on-one effort was saved, Sunderland barrelled into the box through the right.  Enzo Le Fee cut back a pass into the six-yard box for Brobbley to tap in, but the ball rolled over to Gusto, who deflected it into the net. 

Cole Palmer's 25-yard shot restored Chelsea to the game with their first goal. However, the hope of a comeback was denied as Wesley Fofana was red-carded six minutes later for a second yellow card  

The new manager, Xabi Alonso, watched his side for the final time from afar before taking charge in the summer. The interim boss, Calum McFarlane, led the side to the game that unpleasantly ended their European competition pursuit. 

Sunderland ended April with two defeats and looked all but out of the race for Europe, until a three-game undefeated stretch across May, including an impressive 3-1 win at Everton last weekend. Those victories reestablished their European race. They finished the season in seventh with 54 points, while Chelsea dropped to 10th with 52 points.