PHILLIPS ON THE SPOT FOR BLACK
CATS
(Sky Sports) Eric Beauchamp reporting
Sunderland claimed a hard-fought victory against Chelsea thanks to a goal
from Englands forgotten striker Kevin Phillips in a match that ended
10-a-side.
Phillips, who was left out of both of Englands recent World Cup qualifiers
despite being in the squad, made no mistake from the spot after strike-partner
Niall Quinn had won a penalty.
Kick-off was delayed by 45 minutes due to floodlight problems at the Stadium
of Light, but once underway it was Sunderland that looked most likely to score.
Peter Reids side thought they had taken the lead after only six minutes
when Quinn and Phillips combined to put Julio Arca into space on the left.
The midfielder cut inside Chelseas Albert Ferrer to fire in a shot which,
just like Ray Parlours effort for England against Finland, hit the bar and
bounced down on the line.
Arca insisted the ball had gone in, and later replays showed it was a goal,
but play was waved on as Frank Leboeuf hacked the ball clear.
Chelsea hardly troubled Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen in the first 45
minutes though Gianfranco Zola wasted a good opportunity by shooting harmlessly
over from 20 yards.
At the other end Chelsea keeper Ed de Goey saved his side twice within
seconds when he first cut out Kevin Kilbane's cross as Quinn raced in at the far
post and then produced a superb reaction save to keep out the Irishman's
point-blank header.
Frank Leboeuf was stretchered off on 30 minutes after landing awkwardly on
his left arm after challenging the ever-awkward Quinn for a high ball. The
French international was replaced by former Barcelona defender Winston Bogarde
whose presence seemed to sure up Chelseas defence.
But on 64 minutes it was Sunderland who took the lead after they were awarded
a controversial penalty. Mario Melchiot was adjudged to have fouled Quinn in the
six-yard box and Phillips stepped up to score his sixth goal of the season.
There was no complaint from Quinn as he failed to direct Chris Makin's cross
home, and to the astonishment of everybody referee Jeff Winter pointed to the
spot.
There was more controversy four minutes later when Kilbane and Chelseas
Graeme Le Saux were sent-off for a scuffle after the Irishman retaliated to Le
Sauxs attempted use of the elbow.
With time running out Chelsea pushed forward and came close to equalising on
several occasions when Tore Andre Flo came close to connecting with Zolas
cross from the right on 72 minutes, and then Ferrers goalbound volley was
blocked on the line.
But Sunderlands defence stood firm until the final whistle for a fifth
successive home win over Chelsea.
Sunderland: Sorensen, Makin, Gray, Craddock, Thome, Kilbane, Rae (Thirlwell
78), Williams, Arca, Quinn (Dichio 80), Phillips. Chelsea: de Goey, Ferrer, Le Saux, Desailly, Leboeuf (Bogarde 31),
Wise, Melchiot, Dalla Bona, Gudjohnsen (Babayaro 73), Zola, Hasselbaink (Flo
45). Att: 45,078
Phillips pen 64
FA Carling Premiership
Subs Not Used: Macho, Oster, Reddy.
Sent Off: Kilbane (66).
Goals: Phillips 63 pen.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Morris.
Sent Off: Le Saux (67).
Booked: Le Saux.
Ref: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).
REID: I'VE BEEN DYING FOR A DISPLAY LIKE THAT
Reid said: I have been dying for a performance like that and we played
some great stuff and stopped Chelsea playing. It was a good day for us.
Sunderlands 1-0 victory came thanks to Kevin Phillipss winner from the
penalty spot, but the home side could have won by two goals after having Julio
Arcas first-half strike ruled out after the ball bounced on the line.
Reid added: I thought the ball went in even though it happened ever so
quickly. It looked in from where I was watching, but it didnt matter because
we deserved the win.
We played some good stuff and on the whole we deserved the three points.
Alex Rae was superb in his first game of the season and I think he had an
outstanding game.
If you have a big fellow up front like Niall it makes it very difficult
for the oppositions defenders. Quinn was awesome but all our players deserve
credit.
Phillips penalty on 65 minutes condemned Chelsea manager Claudio
Ranieri to his first Premier League defeat.
He said: It was a very good game. It was competitive and good to watch. We
kept coming back at them but we never managed an equaliser despite never giving
up.
We were prepared for the game and we knew it would be aggressive and
unfortunately we were unsuccessful. I am proud of my players because they fought
until the last minute.
Sunderland manager Peter Reid was delighted with his sides performance
and praised his players for the way they prevented Chelsea from playing their
preferred passing game.