Premier League - Sunderland lose but stay up

Eurosport - Sun, 24 May 19:57:00 2009

Sunderland escaped Premier League relegation despite losing 3-1 to Chelsea at the Stadium of Light as Nicolas Anelka scored his 19th league goal of the season to secure the Golden Boot award.

Nicolas Anelka celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Sunderland, May 2009 - 0

Anelka's stunning 48th minute strike was cancelled out by Kieran Richardson's goal for Sunderland before substitute Salomon Kalou and Ashley Cole both scored to seal the win. Kenwyne Jones then scored a 90th-minute consolation for the Wearsiders.

Sunderland began the day two points and two places above the relegation zone, and their own loss was rendered meaningless due to Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Hull all also losing.

France international Anelka seemingly decided at half-time to go for goal the next time he got the ball, as soon after the break he carried it from deep before unleashing a lethal strike from distance that flew past goalkeeper Marton Fulop into the top corner to move above Cristiano Ronaldo, who did not play against Hull.

Richardson was on hand to equalise from close range five minutes later when Petr Cech failed to deal with a Grant Leadbitter cross, but Kalou put the West London side back in front with a rasping strike of his own when Sunderland could only half-clear a corner kick.

Cole got a rare goal after Fulop raced off his line to block a Florent Malouda shot and the England full-back was well-placed to finish for only his second league goal in a Chelsea shirt.

Jones gave the home fans something to cheer about late on when he found himself unmarked to head in from Andy Reid's cross.

With next week's FA Cup final in mind, Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink dropped Michael Ballack to the bench and Frank Lampard from the squad entirely.

To that end, the match resembled at time little more than a pre-final workout for the West London side.

Despite relegation remaining a mathematical possibility, Sunderland's performance also had that final-day feel about it, with only Steed Malbranque showing the sort of work rate required.

The Wearside crowd had to wait until the final stages of the first half before they saw a goalkeeper really tested. Didier Drogba received the ball with his back to goal and saw his drilled shot on the turn palmed away by Fulop.

Moments later, Malouda blasted a shot that had Fulop beaten but cannoned off the crossbar with the final kick of the half.

Although they watched their side lose their final match - Sunderland have never won on the final day of a Premier League season - the joy on the faces of the home fans was unconfined upon hearing the news that local rivals Newcastle were confirmed as relegated.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport

Comment 17 - 36 of 36

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  1. Patrick, don't get too carried away; in normal­ circumstances, a derisory 36 points would've had­ you relegated.
    Don't kid yourself into thinking­ safc have a good squad; it is just a slightly better­ batch of dross than ours, and whoever comes in has a­ monumenal job to do.
    I did admire S'bragia's­ honesty yesterday, he behaved with dignity, and soared­ like a bird in my estimation; did you see the clown­ brown at hull . . . . dear oh dear?
    Oh i have just read­ your little ditties from yesterday by the way . . very­ droll.

    From cameron w, on Mon 25 May 12:44PM

  2. Cameron, this is a turn up for the books... it's­ you instead of us this season. It's not a good­ feeling (relegation) but life goes on eh? I think that­ the supporters (despite fantastic support as always)­ should take some of the blame. After all it was fan­ power that got Allardyce the boot and he deserved­ better than that. At the time I thought he was a good­ appointment for NUFC, you should've stuck with­ him.
    Anyway let's not dwell on the negative side of­ NE football. You have to admit that this might be a­ turning point for SAFC what with Shorts millions and­ Sven coming to the old village! I get the feeling­ (could be wrong) that there could be a shift of power­ in the NE for a few years.
    Where's Hutch and his­ untamed wit this morning?

    From patrick.jewell, on Mon 25 May 11:42AM

  3. Well there you go girls; at the end of the day my team,­ NUFC are relegated and deservedly so - no complaints­ whatsoever from me. Jack, wherever you are me awld­ sparring partner, well done and it's been good­ banter all season with you pal; i've enjoyed that a­ lot more than the football itself! Like Big Al, i am­ very upset and very raw, no shame in admitting that -­ but most of all, i am very angry.

    From cameron w, on Mon 25 May 10:32AM

  4. 3-2 not 3-1.

    From joefleming, on Sun 24 May 10:11PM

  5. SAD ABOUT THE DERDY BUT TONY K AND CAMERON W IF YOU­ WANT TO READ ABOUT NEWCASTLE CHECK THE CHAMPIONSHIP OUT­ YOU CAN CHAT TO YOUR LEAGUE MATES THERE BORO READING­ SCUN ECT .SO KEEP OFF THE PREM SITE YOU JUST DONT­ BELONG HA HA HA HA .SUNDERLAND FLYING THE FLAG FOR THE­ NORTHEAST

    From clarerobson, on Sun 24 May 9:32PM

  6. Everton fan first.... Chuffed as a badger who'sjust­ found a very plump worm sunderland stay up.......­ Followed them as a second club since 76....

    Come on­ lads... next year is a new year..... Dream ticket...­ Everton and Sunderland fighting for everything.. Man­ who... Liver what. chels er.. lovely jubberly... I­ reckon I'm baaou tot win more than £6.10 on­ Euromilions. By way.. I did.. win that amount.... let­ me win 90 mill and I'll buy into both cubs.. Moyes­ in charge of both with ya man as assistant on both

    From john.sayle, on Sun 24 May 9:09PM

  7. 3rd with a fa cup final,semis in champ, newkey down,­ smoggies gone and liverpool won nothing not a bad­ season after all

    From virgilsonia, on Sun 24 May 8:34PM

  8. Lets all laugh at TonyK, after all your sad comments­ about Sunderland all season we wave goodbye to your and­ your sad barcode fans. FTM

    From Michael, on Sun 24 May 7:49PM

  9. Congrats to Anelka for getting his 19th league goal and­ getting the golden boot award. From 'a football­ fan'!

    From A Mancunian Man U Fan, on Sun 24 May 7:14PM

  10. Kieron richardson special??!!!!!!
    0 to 92 Mph in 2.1­ sec's!
    Oh SORRY my fualt, 2.1 GOALS!!!!
    The THREE­ points we took off you that day sent you­ DOWN!!!!!!!
    F.T.M.
    FACT . THAT .­ MOTHERFOOKERS
    F..........T...........M.................­ ..............!

    From The Blake, on Sun 24 May 7:10PM

  11. they lost 2-3 numb nuts

    From luke.elliff, on Sun 24 May 7:03PM

  12. Sbragia resigns!!!!!!!!

    From Mark, on Sun 24 May 6:32PM

  13. the stats say it all...

    21 in 8 games for chelsea vs­ sunderland
    2 in 9 games for sunderland vs­ chelsea

    anelka put a hattrick past you too... of­ course most of you will have taken acid to forget that­ though =)

    From Ron B, on Sun 24 May 3:37PM

  14. paul n is a legend we both sunderland til we die haha­ well said boy, fact alright newcastle are f****d hah­ hah hah

    From joanne.henry, on Sat 23 May 6:35PM

  15. SUNDERLAND.A.F.C!!!! when i was young i had no sense i­ bought a flute for fifty pence the only tone that i­ could play was f**k shearer and the bent army.

    From joanne.henry, on Sat 23 May 6:33PM

  16. joanne.henry is a----"tranny"

    From Bob P, on Sat 23 May 10:11AM

  17. I hope Anelka gets the "boot" too----in the­ b------s! S'land to hold out --0-0---maybe even­ sneak it-- Howay the lads!

    From Bob P, on Sat 23 May 10:08AM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    joanne.henry
    are you a lesbian?

    From cameron w, on Fri 22 May 9:34PM

  19. and you cant say anything about teams not playing well­ aston villa have done better than you all season so you­ dont have a clue do ya mate, aston villa to strong for­ a side of scum like yous.

    From joanne.henry, on Fri 22 May 4:27PM

  20. and tony k no need to be sexist about women, you only­ saying that beause our premier league women team could­ beat your team any time they like, so shut it mate­ before i shut it for ya! DJIBRIL CISSE SUNDERLAND­ NUMBER NINE, RMEMBER HMM SCORED AT ST.f****rs park.

    From joanne.henry, on Fri 22 May 4:25PM
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