Chelsea did not need new signing Fernando Torres as they defeated Sunderland 4-2 in their English Premier League clash on Tuesday night.
In fact the Blues did not need any of their new expensive signings as they brushed aside the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light to keep in touch of the pacesetters.
Ghanaian were hoping their players Asamaoah Gyan, John Mensah or Sulley Muntari all of Sunderland would excel against Michael Essien’s Chelsea.
In the end Chelsea won to remain 10 points adrift of pacesetters Manchester United and they increased the gap between themselves and fifth-placed Tottenham.
The £50million man Torres, like Brazilian defender David Luiz, did not complete his move to Stamford Bridge in time to be available for tonight’s game, but he was not missed as the Blues created more than enough chances to win the game without him.
In the end, Nicolas Anelka’s nonchalant injury-time finish and skipper John Terry’s strike on the hour were the difference between the sides, but the visitors hit the woodwork three times, twice with the same Salomon Kalou shot, and were repeatedly kept out by Craig Gordon on their way to a second successive Barclays Premier League win on the road.
Sunderland had taken an early lead through Phil Bardsley and after Frank Lampard’s penalty and Kalou’s 23rd-minute strike had restored order, Kieran Richardson levelled before the break.
But Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who started and finished the night 10 points adrift of leaders Manchester United, were good value for a victory which gained a measure of revenge for their 3-0 home defeat by the Black Cats in November.
Stephane Sessegnon enjoyed a promising debut for the home side with Sulley Muntari watching from the stands, but a crowd of 37,855 left knowing the points had ended up with the better side on the night.
The Blues arrived on Wearside having invested a record transfer fee in Torres late last night as the January merry-go-round almost span off its axis, but it was not lack of firepower which was manager Carlo Ancelotti’s concern during the opening 45 minutes.
The Italian saw his side score twice and once upon a time in the not so very distant past, that was more than enough for Chelsea to claim all three points.