Chelsea rally to win 3-1 at Sunderland

Aug 18, 2009 - 10:49 PM By DANIEL ROSE STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Carlo Ancelotti's new look Chelsea breezed to an impressive 3-1 victory over Sunderland with the strength of the Italian's squad fully evident at the Stadium of Light.

Ancelotti made three changes from the narrow 2-1 win over Hull City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and despite going behind to an early Darren Bent goal his team responded in convincing fashion.

Michael Ballack drew Chelsea level after half-time before a Frank Lampard penalty punched them into the lead.

A reinvigorated Deco, so often a marginal figure under Luiz Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink last season, completed the scoring with a finely struck shot 20 minutes from time.

Unbeaten Ancelotti said: "I am very satisfied because we played very well. It was not easy in the first half because Sunderland scored first.

"We maintained control and a good mental attitude and won a good match for us. I see the team improving quickly and we are happy.

"We changed the team around because we have a lot of games and it is important to use all the players ??? you need a good atmosphere in the squad.

"I am very happy for Deco, he did not have a good season last year and now he is in a good condition and if the team play well, you play well for the team."

Following their less than convincing opening day display against Hull, Ancelotti switched his side around bringing in Deco, Ballack and Branislav Ivanovic and relegating Nicolas Anelka, John Obi Mikel and Ricardo Carvalho.

The wholesale changes, while bold, looked to disrupt the pattern of the team early on as Chelsea once more got off to a disappointing start with Bent firing Sunderland into a first-half lead.

Bent began the move sweeping a cross to strike-partner Kenwyne Jones but the Trinidad and Tobago international's was blocked before the former Tottenham man seized on the rebound to fire under Pert Cech.

Despite the wake-up call Chelsea were struggling to gain a foothold in the game with a lack on the pace on the flanks leaving the Sunderland back four largely untested and bar a Ballack effort blocked on the line by Lee Cattermole there was little to suggest they could get back into the contest.

The half-time break could not have come soon enough for the Londoners with some stern words said and they emerged for the second period with greater purpose.

Deco and Lampard's dangerous deliveries from set-pieces had the Black Cats defence troubled with Ivanovic and Didier Drogba going close before it was third time lucky.

Serbian international Ivanovic flicked on a Lampard corner and Ballack was on hand to fire past Marton Fulop from eight yards.

Drogba's physical threat then earned Chelsea a spot-kick nine minutes later when the home defence could not deal with the Ivorian's pace and power forcing George McCartney into a crude trip.

Lampard stuck the penalty away and Chelsea were firmly in control for Deco to add the third from 20 yards as his right-footed shot snuck inside the right-hand post.

Black Cats boss Bruce said: "They have put on a hell of a show, that is as impressive as I have seen Chelsea play.

"We were valiant but the longer the game goes on the energy levels drop and we could not keep after them.

"Sometimes you have to admit you were beaten by a very good team. Darren showed what a great acquisition he is going to be but it was a tough night for us.

"They are as good a team in Europe as there is and tonight they showed it."