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Sunderland welcome Chelsea to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League.
Last time out Sunderland beat Everton and Chelsea beat Spurs.
Sunderland took a step closer to achieving European qualification with a well earned 3-1 win at the Hill-Dickinson Stadium. Everton took the lead at the end of the first half with a Rohl shot that deflected in off Granit Xhaka’s boot. Brian Brobbey equalised for the Wearsiders in the 59th minute with a strong shot to beat Jordan Pickford. The Black Cats took the lead through Enzo Le Fee with ten minutes remaining and Wilson Isidor sealed the win with a far post tap in after a well worked move involving all 3 of Regis Le Bris’ substitutes. Omar Alderete could be a doubt with a hip injury, Dan Ballard sits out the last of his 3-game ban.
Chelsea took the lead after 18 minutes when Enzo Fernandez sent a shot swerving beyond Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. Mathys Tel headed against the post for Spurs in the first half, but otherwise they were strangely lacklustre until late on, Chelsea doubled their lead after 67 minutes, Andrey Santos scoring from close range after Randal Kolo Muani conceded possession cheaply. Richarlison gave Spurs hope with 16 minutes left, but they could not add the second goal. Spurs were furious when they were denied a late penalty after Marc Cucurella was cautioned for dragging down Micky van de Ven at a corner, but it was adjudged the ball was not yet in play. Chelsea's win improves their own chances of European football as they move into eighth position ahead of Brentford on goal difference.
Chelsea have announced an agreement with Xavi Alonso for next season but interim boss Calum McFarlane will take charge for this final League game.
Regis le Bris:
"He (Omar Alderete) got a small injury during the week," Le Bris said.
"He was confident he could manage the game but in a sprint he felt it a little bit so we decided to avoid something major and we'll see how he is tomorrow. Luke was excellent, as expected, which is really important. I repeat our subs are really important because you can't manage a game with only 11 players. Luke was good here in the FA Cup and good again today."
Presser Friday 13:30:
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Calum McFarlane:
“The result was the most important thing, I thought we played really well in the first half, to be fair you could see some of the lads struggling from minute one with intensity and low on energy. We had a really tough game on Saturday and it took a lot out of us, we just needed to fight, stick together and we needed to defend in moment and I thought we did that really well.”
Form:
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Match Appointments:
Referee: CHRIS KAVANAGH
Assistant Referee: Dan Cook
Assistant Referee: Ian Hussein
Fourth Official: Lewis Smith
Video Assistant Referee: Matthew Donohue
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Eddie Smart
Team Lineups:
Sunderland AFC: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, O’Nien, Reinildo, Geertruida, Sadiki, Xhaka, Le Fee, Angulo, Brobbey.
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Subs: Ellborg, Jones, Cirkin, Rigg Diarra, Ta Bi, Talbi, Mayenda, Isidor.
Injured: Mundle, Alderete.
Suspended: Ballard.
Chelsea FC: Sanchez, Cucarella, Hato, Fofana, Acheampong, Caicedo, Andrey Santos, Fernandez, Palmer, Pedro Neto, Delap.
Substitutes: Jorgensen, Essugo, Chalobah, Derry, Garnacho, James, Kavuma-McQueen, Mheuka, Sarr.
Injured: Estevao, Gittens, Lavia.
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Betting Odds:
Sunderland 13/5
Chelsea 19/20
Draw 13/5
My two pence:
The flower show is almost over and now it’s time for the big finale
After a great result at Everton, it all comes down to this last game. A win could mean that we qualify for Europe, A loss or draw could mean that our nearest neighbours could finish above us.
For that reason alone we all need to turn up the noise and make the atmosphere better than Coventry and the Saudi's combined.
I’m going for a 2-0 home win.
I’m driving up early in the morning for this one and looking forward to meeting up with lots of good folk on here before the game
Live Stream:
Sky Sport Premier League
Ha’way the Lads - Til the end
