Chelsea beats Sunderland 3-1, Man U loses in Premier League

“Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world but is not where it should be at the moment”, Hiddink said. Later, Oscar, who had a spectacular game, was replaced by Ramires. After Fabio Borini pulled one back, Sunderland had several chances to put the game back in the balance with only their own deficiencies preventing them to take advantage of the home side’s frailties.

Sunderland were rattled and produced a woeful 45 minutes, eventually losing 3-1 to leave them stranded in 19th spot in the Premier League ahead of Christmas.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the Chelsea fans stand in silence for the whole game”. “Some of the football was excellent, one and two touch…it dropped off slightly in the second half but we were delighted”. Many booed again when he was substituted, as they did when midfielder Cesc Fabregas was taken off.

One banner read “You let Jose down, you let us down”, and after Branislav Ivanovic and Pedro Rodriguez had put Chelsea 2-0 up inside 13 minutes, there was a deafening chant of: “Where were you when we were shit?” “However, I am sure we can all turn this season around”, Hiddink said in a club statement. James McClean was dismissed for a desperately poor challenge on Adam Smith with the score still goalless, but the latter got his revenge with a low shot shortly after half-time.

A dismal start to the Premier League campaign culminated in the Portuguese coach parting company with the club on Thursday following back-to-back domestic defeats against AFC Bournemouth and leaders Leicester City. “If we keep putting in performances like that, the fans will be happy and they’ll be going home with smiles on their faces”.

Hiddink’s first game in the dugout will be at home to Watford on Boxing Day after he was confirmed just before kick-off, as Chelsea look to salvage something from a disappointing season so far.

“He will not be taking a sabbatical, he isn’t exhausted, he doesn’t need it, he is very positive, and is already looking forward”, said a statement from CAA, which also said Mourinho would remain in London.

It was tempting to feel they’d be damned either way – win and they’d “chucked it” as Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher had claimed, lose and the decision to axe the club’s greatest ever manager was no kind of solution to their problems after all.

The captain finished by saying, “Credit to all the players and the team today, and listen, my thoughts are with the manager [Mourinho] because we’re disappointed that this falls on his head, unfortunately”.

Hiddink, 69, whose last post was as Holland coach, said on the club’s official website: “I am excited to return to Stamford Bridge”.