Chelsea started the post-Mourinho era with a 3-1 win over Sunderland at a discontented Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinho may have gone but he was far from forgotten as Chelsea cruised to victory.
Guus Hiddink was in the stands having been confirmed as new interim boss but it was Mourinho, axed 48 hours earlier, who still managed to cast his shadow over Stamford Bridge as goals from Branislav Ivanovic, Pedro and Oscar secured a routine victory for the fallen champions.
Mourinho’s name was still ringing round the ground when Chelsea opened the scoring through another player under the spotlight for some poor performances this season – Ivanovic was left totally unmarked when he rose to meet Willian’s fifth-minute corner and nodded the ball high into the net.
Seven minutes later Pedro made it two thanks to some more calamitous defending, this time Sebastien Coates failing to deal with Ivanovic’s cross and allowing the Spaniard to sweep the ball home.
Oscar should have made it three when he strolled through the Sunderland defence as if they were not there, only to hammer his shot straight at Costel Pantilimon, before Costa stabbed over from close range and headed another chance wide.
But three minutes after the break Chelsea had their third, Willian chasing Pedro’s ball into the box before being tripped by Pantilimon, with Oscar slotting in the penalty.
The Blues moved to 18 points, one more than Norwich City to 15th on the log.
