Chelsea vs. Sunderland: Score, Reaction from 2015 Premier League Match

On the day Guus Hiddink was appointed as an interim successor to Jose Mourinho, per Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas, Chelsea beat Sunderland 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

With coaches Eddie Newton and Steve Holland in the dugout, the beleaguered Blues got goals from Branislav Ivanovic, Pedro and Oscar. Fabio Borini hit back for the visitors.

It was a game played in a strange and testy atmosphere, as Chelsea fans vented their frustrations at the players and affirmed their backing for sacked former chief Mourinho.

The result moves last season's Premier League champions to 15th in the table. Meanwhile, second-off-bottom Sunderland remain mired in a relegation scrap.

Newton and Holland gave a sign of more attacking intent by including midfield playmaker Cesc Fabregas in the starting XI. The Catalan pass master was joined by former Barcelona team-mate Pedro.

Sky Sports Twitter detailed the full Chelsea lineup:

Sunderland gaffer Sam Allardyce trusted veteran goal-getter Jermaine Defoe up front. Behind him, Allardyce was content to pack midfield with Frenchman Yann M'Vila and ex-Everton and Manchester City man Jack Rodwell:

Hiddink was in the stands alongside owner Roman Abramovich and club legend Didier Drogba. He would have noted the toxic atmosphere early on at the Bridge. Some players were notably booed during the PA announcements, a clear sign the supporters' hearts remain with deposed former boss Mourinho.

Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard identified the most obvious targets of the fans' wrath:

But despite the backlash from the stands, the players delivered early on. Ivanovic headed the hosts in front with barely five minutes on the clock, turning home a Willian corner.

That didn't stop the audible support for Mourinho, per Johnson:

It wasn't long before Pedro got in on the act. He smashed in a left-footed drive amid a scramble in the box after an Ivanovic cross.

Not even a second goal could quiet the fans. Johnson noted the bizarre and tense atmosphere:

The fans remained steadfast in their support of Mourinho. But the Blues' lightning-fast start in this match may make a few think the former manager was at least partly culpable in the club's disastrous start this season.

Either way, Squawka noted how the Mourinho-less Chelsea were showing more attacking intent than they have recently:

Despite their great start, Chelsea's players weren't winning the fans over. Many in the stands stayed firm in their belief these same players had forced Mourinho out. Squawka detailed how some of the displeasure was expressed:

On the pitch, Oscar had been bossing proceedings in the middle, playing with a sense of freedom and confidence he hasn't enjoyed in a while. His first-half numbers reflected his influence:

It was the little Brazilian who got the second half rolling for the Blues. He stepped up to strike home from the spot after Willian had been felled in the box.

Unbelievably, Sunderland actually found a goal soon after Oscar's spot-kick. Substitute Borini tapped in a rebound to give the visitors the faintest glimmer of hope.

Suddenly, Chelsea started to show some nerves. Sunderland began fashioning a few openings. Defoe came close after shooting on the turn.

There was still time for Fabregas to receive more dissent from the stands as the game wound down:

The same followed for Diego Costa as he was replaced by Loic Remy:

Chelsea's disgruntled striker didn't even take his seat on the bench, prompting this speculation from Johnson:

But despite the bad feelings, the game ended comfortably in favour of the home side.

Post-Match Reaction

Understandably, most of the focus in the post-match reaction was on Chelsea's axed former manager. Skipper John Terry gave his team-mates credit, but also expressed his sorrow at Mourinho's departure, according to Squawka News:

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois refused to be drawn on his working relationship with Mourinho, according to TV presenter and journalist Jacqui Oatley:

While the idea members of the current Chelsea squad had let Mourinho down was endorsed by many of the fans at Stamford Bridge, stand-in Holland insisted the players deserved some plaudits after this win.

In particular, he praised boo boys Fabregas and Costa, per Chelsea's official Twitter feed:

Sensing the mood from the stands and among the players, Holland also preached caution about Chelsea's revival. He stressed the squad is still raw from its poor performances and the turmoil in the dugout, per BBC Sport Twitter:

Speaking about his old boss, Holland insisted Mourinho won't be out of work for long:

Meanwhile, Allardyce bemoaned his side's mistakes at the back. He was especially irked by the opening goal, according to Kate Smith of Sunderland's official site:

"

I think we made Chelsea look very good today.

We conceded through a set-piece and we need to stop things like that happening.

After Chelsea went a goal up we were on the back foot. I don’t think we recovered from conceding that early goal.

They were a side under pressure and getting that goal gave them the boost they needed.

"

One win won't repair the fractured relationship between Chelsea's player and fans. Nor is it definitive proof unhappiness with the manager was the sole cause for the Blues' struggles.

Right now, this is just a welcome three points and a small platform for Hiddink to start building on. A home game against Watford presents another inviting opportunity for Chelsea to get their season back on track.

As for Sunderland, the task of achieving safety just got a lot tougher. A trip to Manchester City over the festive period is the last thing Allardyce and his players need.