The Special One confounded all my predictions regarding team selection. Cech in goal, Geremi at right back, Terry back in his rightful place, no Makelele and Duff on the bench. Oh Well try again next time.

The changes didn't seem to make much difference to the team that won at Tottenham two weeks ago, except that it took to half-time for JM to find the right system to get the desired result. Sunderland did well and frustrated Chelsea during the first half. Although Sunderland didn't threaten the Chelsea goal, they stifled all of the options that Chelsea tried to throw at them.

A tactical switch allowed Robben to roam in off the wing to play just behind Crespo. Duff came on and the pattern of play changed in Chelsea's favour. However it took a comedy of errors for Chelsea to take the lead. Sunderland's keeper Kelvin Davis rolled the ball out to substitute full back Welsh, the ball appeared to hit Welsh on the heel and it rolled straight into the path of Geremi, who struck it first time, Davis dived and the ball went under his diving body.

Chelsea's second came from a break down of a Sunderland move just outside the Chelsea area. The ball found its way to Essien who powered forward before feeding Duff out on the Chelsea left. The Irish International flighted a cross plum straight onto Drogba's head who headed it down into Davis's net to the left hand side.

Prior to that Super Frank piled a shot onto the bar from thirty-five yards out after the ref played a good advantage when Robben was brought down.

Mourinho's after match reaction:

"Players lose condition and lose form, so these games are always difficult. We lost a lot of points after international fixtures. So today I'm very happy."

"We tried everything. We tried to give Arjen [Robben] the freedom he didn't have in the second half."

"We didn't plan on taking [Hernan] Crespo off. We wanted to play Crespo and Drogba, but we than scored so I decide the keep the same shape."

"In these situations I can't demand more from the players. The result was great, but the performance was not so good. Today we won, so I'm happy with that."

John Terry was a doubt to feature in the game, but Mourinho revealed with Claude Makelele also out he gambled on playing the England international at the back.

"I was thinking about not playing him, because he's been injured," he added. "It's difficult to play without Maka and Terry, so I decided to risk Terry and the answer was positive."

McCarthy's reaction:

"In the first half I thought we were very good. We've not been much of a goal threat, but were we meant to be? Mistakes have cost us.

"We did well in the game for 55 minutes, but then two mistakes have cost us. We can't afford to make mistakes as we're being punished."

"Welshy should have done better and Kelvin has come in and apologised. Their second goal has come from a bit of quality that we've lacked."

"We just have to keep going and see if we can get that first win and turn things around. We've got West Brom at home now and that is a vital game."

Davis revealed once the side were back in the dressing room he and Welsh tried to take the blame for allowing Geremi to open the scoring for Chelsea.

"We've spoken about it and we're both trying to take the blame. It was unfortunate," said Davis.

"I feel embarrassed to be sitting in the dressing room with them. They've played very well."

"In the end an error has cost us the game."

Chelsea:

Cech, Gérémi, Gallas, Terry, Del Horno, Gudjohnsen, Essien, Lampard, Wright-Phillips, Crespo, Robben

Substitutes: Cudicini, Cole, Carvalho, Drogba, Duff

Sunderland:

Davis; Nosworthy, Breen, Stubbs, Hoyte; Elliott, Miller, Bassila, Whitehead, Arca; Stead.

Subs: Alnwick, Robinson, Le Tallec, Gray, Welsh.

Referee: Mike Dean.

Att: 41,969