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Chelsea delivered an improved performance under caretaker boss Steve Holland but chants in support of the sacked Portuguese coach rung around Stamford Bridge.
They began their second post-Jose Mourinho era by scoring three goals in the Premier League for the first time in nearly four months to beat Sunderland.
A dismal start to the Premier League campaign culminated in the Portuguese coach parting company with the club last week following back-to-back defeats against Bournemouth and Leicester City.
Guus Hiddink was appointed as his replacement until the end of the season in the hours leading up to Saturday’s match, but he watched from the stands while Steve Holland and Eddie Newton took charge of first-team affairs.
Support for the departed Mourinho, who claimed three Premier League titles during two spells at Chelsea, was evident in the form of banners and chants from the home faithful, while Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa had their names booed ahead of kick-off and when they were substituted.
The Blues began to win the crowd back when Branislav Ivanovic opened the scoring with five minutes on the clock before Pedro netted his first top-flight goal since August to put Chelsea 2-0 up after 13 minutes.
Oscar added to Chelsea’s lead from the penalty spot early in the second half, and, although Fabio Borini pulled one back against his former club, Sunderland were unable to mount a comeback and remain in the relegation zone following a third-straight defeat.
Chelsea made two changes from Monday’s loss at Leicester, with Fabregas and Pedro in for Ramires and Eden Hazard, who missed out with a hip injury, while Sam Allardyce restored Younes Kaboul, Jack Rodwell and Jermain Defoe to his line-up. — Goal.com
Online Reporter