Blues hammer Sunderland

12 April 2012

Nicolas Anelka scored a hat-trick as Chelsea cut loose at Stamford Bridge thrashing Sunderland 5-0.

Frank Lampard also netted to record the 100th league goal of his career.

Alex was the other Blues player to strike in a match which saw Sunderland manager Roy Keane sent to the stands after clashing with officials.

The tone was set from the kick-off as Chelsea penned Sunderland in their own half, dominating possession, fizzing the ball around the greasy surface with precision.

In the 16th minute Deco swivelled sweetly on the edge of the area and sent a swerving angled shot thundering against the bar, and there was much more to come.

The first goal arrived from Alex, who started the move in midfield. The ball was switched to Joe Cole out on the right and when it fizzed across the penalty area it squirmed under goalkeeper Marton Fulop into the path of Alex, who swept home from three yards.

Anelka quickly made it 2-0, Lampard providing the angled cross, Alex getting the touch as he slid in and although the ball was about to cross the line, Anelka made sure from no more than 12 inches.

Anelka slotted his second, again from close range, on the stroke of half-time and it got worse for Sunderland in the 51st minute when Joe Cole supplied the cross for Lampard to head home.

Two minutes later Anelka completed his hat-trick, again from close-range with the ball looping off Fulop and dropping agonisingly over the line.

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