21 Apr 2014

Chelsea's title hopes hit by Sunderland defeat

6:31 am on 21 April 2014

Chelsea's Premier League title hopes have suffered a major blow with a shock 2-1 home loss to bottom side Sunderland.

The loss is Jose Mourinho's first Premier League defeat at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea manager and ends the Blues' 77-match unbeaten streak at home.

Fabio Borini, on-loan from league leaders Liverpool, scored the winner with a penalty in the 82nd minute.

Sunderland's Connor Wickham had equalised in the 18th minute to cancel out Samuel Eto'o's early opener.

After the match Mourinho angrily mocked the match officials.

Referring to referee Mike Dean, who awarded the 82nd-minute penalty he congratulated him for a fantastic performance.

He also sarcastically congratulated referee's boss Mike Riley for the way the championship is going.

The penalty incident saw Cesar Azpilicueta penalised for sliding in alongside Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore, who lost his balance after placing his standing foot on the Chelsea full-back's leg.

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet, a former Chelsea midfielder, expressed sympathy with Dean over the penalty, saying it was tough on the referee.

The defeat leaves Chelsea in second spot on 75 points with three matches left, five points behind Liverpool after the leaders won 3-2 at Norwich City on Monday.

Sunderland, who drew with third-placed Manchester City in midweek, stay bottom with 29 points, one behind Fulham and Cardiff City with a game in hand, and three off Norwich who are just above the relegation zone in 17th.