Chelsea lose 77 match unbeaten home record and their heads as Premier League title is placed firmly in Liverpool's hands

 
20 April 2014

It started with a virus for Petr Cech, but in the end everyone connected with Chelsea was feeling sick after Jose Mourinho’s first home League defeat as Blues manager effectively put the Premier League trophy in Liverpool's hands.

Barring a collapse of incredible proportions, the title is now Liverpool’s to lose and Chelsea face a tough task to restore flagging morale for the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

In an incredible afternoon at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea not only lost their unbeaten run under the Special One at the 78- game mark, but also lost their heads.

Ramires is surely facing retrospective punishment from the Football Association for elbowing Sebastian Larsson that could see him handed a three-game ban, which will end his season prematurely.

But assistant manager Rui Faria is bound to be punished severely by the authorities too reacting furiously to being sent to the stands by Referee Mike Dean late on. He literally had to be held back by Mourinho and the rest of his assistants from confronting the match official.

And of all people to mastermind their demise, it was former Chelsea midfielder Gustavo Poyet, who spent four years as a player at the club. This remarkable victory keeps Sunderland’s hopes of staying in the Premier League alive and Mourinho embraced Poyet at the final whistle to pass on his congratulations.

The cheers from the red half of Liverpool will surely be heard loud and clear before they take on Norwich at Carrow Road tomorrow.

While this defeat will serve as a warning that anything is possible, surely they won’t crack. They also have the knowledge that a draw should suffice when they host Chelsea at Anfield next week.

Title races can be won or lost on a number of factors and Chelsea will reflect on this game as a story of two goalkeepers.

Firstly they lost Cech to illness before kick-off, which meant Mark Schwarzer made his League debut. It was his first appearance in over two months and his nervousness was apparent throughout.

He was at fault for Sunderland’s equaliser from Connor Wickham, six minutes after Samuel Eto’o appeared to have put the home side on course to a routine victory with a smart finish from close range.

Then there was Victor Mannone. Just three days earlier he was at fault for gifting Manchester City a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw, yet here he was inspired, making save after save.

No doubt Mourinho will hold Dean official for a number of decisions against his side, including the awarding of a penalty for Cesar Azpilicueta’s reckless challenge on Jozy Altidore which led to Fabio Borini’s winner.

Borini is another former Chelsea employee, however it was clear where his loyalties lie as he ran towards the ecstatic and disbelieving away support.

The truth is Chelsea failed to keep their composure when they needed it most. Their passing game disappeared and hopeful punts into the penalty area took place instead.

As seen before in other setbacks against lowly opponents like West Ham, Crystal Palace, West Brom, Aston Villa and Newcastle this season, Chelsea’s lack of quality in the final third has been exposed.

Mourinho now has to somehow lift his players ahead of the first leg against Atletico on Tuesday night. The Champions League is surely all they can win now, but on this evidence, the La Liga leaders have little to fear.

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