Could Sunderland be outsiders for a European place?

Yesterday Sunderland pulled off probably their best ever Premier League result by winning 3-0 at champions Chelsea.

And it wasn’t a smash and grab by any stretch of the imagination. They thoroughly deserved their superb victory.

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In fact Sunderland had chances to make it even more embarrassing for the Blues.

Chelsea were without some key players especially at the back where they looked very shaky. If Sunderland were more clinical in front of goal Chelsea could have been facing their worse Premier League defeat ever.

Absentees

Chelsea started the game with a backline of Ashley Cole, Paulo Ferreira, Branislav Ivanovic and Jose Bosingwa. All four defenders have represented their country at international level but they were all over the place.

Chelsea definitely missed the leadership skills of John Terry in the heart of the defence. Paulo Ferreira looked completely out of position at centre-back alongside Ivanovic and Sunderland took full advantage.

Brave

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce decided to start with a brave tactic of employing two strikers and going out to win the game and it paid dividends. Ghanaian international striker Asamoah Gyan and on-loan Danny Welbeck were a constant threat to Chelsea’s defence.

The midfield also backed up their front players superbly. Maybe in future Steve Bruce will be braver with his selections and select two strikers more often.

Bargain

Ghanaian international Asamoah Gyan could prove a bargain. The 24 year-old impressed at the World Cup and has made a fantastic start to his Sunderland career. He may have cost the club a record £13million but it looks like money well spent.

Competition

When Darren Bent is fit he could have a fight to get back into the team with Gyan and Welbeck in such good form. However Asamoah Gyan and Darren Bent could be one of the deadliest strike partnerships in the league.

Both players are top –class goalscorers and are likely to get the club goals. Gyan has already scored five Premier League goals and Bent has found the net six times in the league. They may have cost just over £20million combined but the pair guarantees you goals.

Midfield

Talking about partnerships Sunderland centre-midfield pairing of Lee Cattermole and Jordan Henderson were solid against at Stamford Bridge. Cattermole is often criticised for his sometimes aggressive tackling but yesterday he showed that he can also be disciplined.

He sat in midfield and he and Henderson got the better of international midfielders John Obi Mikel, Yury Zhirkov and Ramires. This performance certainly highlighted the good part of Cattermole’s game.

Jordan Henderson didn’t have his best game of the season at Chelsea but he did enough to help his side to victory. He is one for the future and has just received his first call-up to the England squad.

The 20 year-old is being chased by the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea and if reports are to be believed he could make a move in the January transfer window.  I think it’s vital for the Mackems to keep hold of the highly rated star at least until the end of the season.

Outsiders

Despite defeating Chelsea Sunderland will remain outsiders for a European place. However they currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, just three points behind fourth place Manchester City. With Gyan and Bent as attacking options they will always score goals.

And with the superb partnership of Cattermole and Henderson in central midfield they have good foundations. If they can keep their first eleven injury and suspension free (Cattermole) then I’m sure they can mount a challenge for the top half of the table, if not the top six.

Could Sunderland qualify for Europe this season?