Chelsea inspired by Deco to win over brave Sunderland

Sunderland 1 Chelsea 3. Carlo Ancelotti recorded his second consecutive win the Premier League last night as Chelsea eventually overwhelmed a brave and resolute Sunderland who had the best of the first half.

Manager Steve Bruce saw his first competitive game at the Stadium of Light marked by a Darren Bent goal within the first 20 minutes, the second in two games for the club's £10m summer signing.

Ancelotti's new midfield diamond formation was being pulled all over the pitch by Sunderland, although soon the visitors had imposed their temp on the game and the chances started to fall their way.

Michael Ballack scored soon after the interval from a Frank Lampard corner, before the England midfielder stepped up to bury a penalty past Marton Fulop after George McCartney brought down Didier Drogba.

The Portuguese midfielder Deco, for so long a forlorn presence at Stamford Bridge yet unstoppable last night, joined the party after 70 minutes with a long-range shot that was created by Jose Bosingwa's run.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYINGGeorge Caulkin, the Times: "Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea are proving to be masters of deflation. For the third match in succession, the title favourites held the door open for their opponents before slamming it brusquely in their faces. First, Manchester United in the Community Shield, then Hull City and now Sunderland have seized the advantage and been brushed away for their impudence. Ancelotti would doubtless prefer a little more comfort and, while it is too early to draw definitive conclusions about Chelsea’s ability, they have clearly lost none of their old resilience."

Louise Taylor, the Guardian: "For the second time in four days Chelsea lulled opponents into a false sense of security, cruelly imbuing them with brief optimism before delighting at their eventual undoing. As against Hull City at Stamford Bridge last Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti's side fell behind fairly early on Wearside, huffed and puffed for a bit and then, bewitchingly, reminded everyone why they are so widely tipped to win the Premier League. Steve Bruce, in charge of his first competitive game at the Stadium of Light, had cautioned that Sunderland faced an 'ultimate test' and with Deco renascent in a quasi attacking role he was not wrong."

Colin Young, Daily Mail:  "Tinkering with a Chelsea line-up is a dangerous occupation and could cost a man his job. Just ask Claudio Ranieri. But Carlo Ancelotti is far safer at Stamford Bridge than Ranieri could ever be and the former AC Milan coach changed his system and his players at Sunderland to record a second win of the week. It did not start well for the Chelsea manager, who ditched the diamond and fell behind to Darren Bent’s second goal of the season after just 18 minutes. But a formidable second-half fightback from the title hopefuls secured three valuable points against resurgent Sunderland." ·