Lee Cattermole

By The Black Cats
August 19 2009

Chelsea took all 3 points home from the Sunderland Stadium of Light after three second half goals canceled out an impressive Sunderland start. Darrent Bent, now has 3 goals in 3 games (2 in 2 if we only count league matches) and is looking well worth the money spent on him.

As do Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana who both put in another decent performance and impressed the home crowd with their passion and desire to win 50/50 tackle.

However, Cattermole had to be replaced at half time with a back problem and Lorik Cana is reported to have broken his hand.

Darren Bent opened the scoring with a neat finish on 18 minutes.

After half time Chelsea came out flying and once they'd equalised and then taken the lead through Ballack and a Frank Lampard penalty after a foul by George McCartney.

It was Deco that scored the third goal with a cracking shot that went in off Marton Fulop's right post.

All in all a disappointing result - especially considering we were in teh lead at half time - but nobody was really expecting to win.

"We competed with Chelsea in the first half but in the end we were beaten by a very, very good team," said Bruce .

"The energy was there in the first half but some of the lads have played three games in six days due to internationals and we were a little short in that respect."

"Darren Bent has had a wonderful start, it was a great finish from him and that gave us a bit of impetus and edge.

"As I said, in the end we just fell short of trying to match the energy levels shown in the first half to stop Chelsea from playing.

"I was very pleased with what I saw in the first half. Nobody could question the players' commitment - they simply ran out of juice.

"Now we'll dust ourselves down, recover and get ready for Saturday."

"Chelsea were excellent and whoever finishes above them will win the league. They are a class act; a wonderful team with wonderful players.

"That's why they compete at that level in every competition they're in."

He added: "We're disappointed and we have bumps and bruises but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say we were beaten by a very good team.

"The fans were excellent tonight - 41,000 is a magnificent attendance and I think they saw that the lads gave everything they had.

"The games are coming thick and fast now and we must make sure we are ready for another tough test against Blackburn on Saturday."