Sunderland survived a nervy final afternoon of the Premier League
season and will be the north-east's only representatives in the top
flight next term despite losing 3-2 to Chelsea.
While rivals Newcastle and Middlesbrough were experiencing the trauma
of relegation, Sunderland were succumbing to defeat in Guus Hiddink's
final match as manager of Chelsea.
But results elsewhere meant it was not a costly loss, and events
elsewhere ensured these two sides will meet again next season.
Substitute Salomon Kalou and England defender Ashley Cole struck
inside the final 16 minutes to ensure the three points left Wearside
with the visitors, despite Kenwyne Jones' 90th-minute header.
Kieran Richardson had earlier dragged the home side back into the
game with a 53rd-minute strike, six minutes after Nicolas Anelka
had claimed his 25th goal of the season with a 25-yard rocket.
A crowd of 42,468 left the ground happy for very different reasons,
with the victors looking to next Saturday's FA Cup final clash with
Everton and their hosts anticipating the watching Ellis Short's
buy-out.
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