Ancelotti content as Blues getting back to their best

THE £50m (€58m) signing of Fernando Torres has already had one beneficial effect judging from this Chelsea performance.

The knowledge that Torres will go straight into the team for Sunday’s game against Liverpool generated a remarkable response from the men whose places are under threat.

“He will have no problem playing with Didier Drogba or another striker,” said manager Carlo Ancelotti. “It’s not a problem, it doesn’t change a lot with the diamond in midfield. Our shape won’t change very much.”

Along with Drogba on the night, Salomon Kalou and Nicolas Anelka both gave sterling performances and the manager acknowledged that it’ll be difficult to pick a starting 11 on Sunday.

The latter in particular “did very well,” said the Blues boss. “I was very happy with his performance. He is very dangerous in that position and (was) very difficult for Sunderland to mark.”

Along with Torres, the signing of David Luiz has bolstered the squad and Ancelotti saluted the club for bringing such quality to Stamford Bridge. “It was not easy to buy them in this market and I have to say thank you to the club.

“We know we have more power and ability in the squad now. We were able to move on and now Chelsea are playing good football and scoring goals. We are using our ability on the pitch.”

Currently 10 points adrift of leaders Manchester United, Ancelotti surmised it will “be difficult to close the gap” to the leaders.

“Manchester United have won again, but our aim is to do our best. We have won away against Bolton and Sunderland and we are doing our best, but I don’t know if it will be good enough to fight for the title.

“If Man United continue their run it will be difficult to close the gap.”

Apart from a brief spell in the first half, Steve Bruce’s side were outclassed by Chelsea, whose title chances cannot be discounted.

They had to survive an early setback, however, when Sunderland stunned them inside the first four minutes, as Bardsley cut inside to unleash a shot that swerved inside the far post.

The Blues levelled in the 15th minute through a Lampard penalty, harshly decided after Ahmed Elmohamady was adjudged to have fouled Ashley Cole.

Kalou added a second in the 23rd minute when he rounded ‘keeper Craig Gordon before sliding the ball inside the post with the keeper stranded.

Sunderland hit back just three minutes later through Kieran Richardson, who steered a low free-kick inside the post from 20 yards.

The Black Cats were pinned back for most of the second-half as Chelsea proceeded to play some of their best football of the season.

They went close on three occasions before Terry pounced to score his second of the season after Gordon could only block a Lampard effort.

Anelka, an influential figure all night, made it four when he scored the goal he deserved in the 90th minute when he turned in Malouda’s cross.

Sunderland (4-4-1-1): Gordon 5; Onuoha 6 (Cook 88,5), Bramble 6, Ferdinand 6, Bardsley 8; Elmohamady 5, Malbranque 6 (Colback 82,5), Henderson 5, Sessegnon 5; Richardson 7; Gyan 5.

Chelsea (4-3-1-2): Cech 6; Bosingwa 6 (Ferreira 90,5), Ivanovic 6, Terry 7; Cole 6; Essien 6, Mikel 5 (Ramires 77,5), Lampard 8; Anelka 9; Kalou 7 (Malouda 82,5), Drogba 7.

Referee: Mark Halsey 5.