It took all of five minutes for Chelsea’s players to conjure a positive response to Jose Mourinho’s sacking.
Sunderland’s visit to Stamford Bridge this afternoon is Chelsea’s first match since Mourinho was axed on Thursday, and Branislav Ivanovic put them into an early advantage with this towering header.
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Chelsea have since doubled their lead through Pedro to arguably confirm claims that the players were not playing for Mourinho. But the home supporters made it clear with whom their loyalties lie.
The majority of the Blues players were booed as the teams were read out – in support of the Special One, who masterminded three Premier League title victories and four domestic cup triumphs at the club.
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It will frustrate the Stamford Bridge faithful even more that it is two players who were greatly under-performing under Mourinho that have given caretaker boss Steve Holland a dream start today.
Mourinho kept faith with Ivanovic throughout the Serbian’s sticky patch at the start of the season, while Pedro had gone 11 league games without a goal since his debut strike against West Bromwich Albion.
Guus Hiddink was this afternoon confirmed as the man who will replace Mourinho until the end of the season. The Dutchman was in the stands to watch the start of a possible Chelsea revival.
Victory for the Blues could take them up to 14th in the table, four points clear of the relegation zone, where Sunderland appear on course to remain courtesy of a third consecutive top-flight defeat.
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