LONDON: The Premier League title race was thrown wide open Sunday thanks to leader Chelsea's shock 3-0 home defeat to Sunderland and Arsenal's hard-fought 2-1 win at Everton. Chelsea's 100 percent home record ended as a solo strike by Nedum Onuoha and second-half goals by strikers Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck earned Sunderland a deserved victory. They were the first goals the Blues have conceded at home this season. Bacary Sagna and Cesc Fabregas were Arsenal's goalscorers at Goodison Park, with Tim Cahill's 89th-minute consolation coming too late for Everton. Arsenal is now just two points behind Chelsea, with Manchester United – which drew 2-2 at Aston Villa Saturday – a further point behind. The reigning champion Chelsea hadn't conceded a goal at Stamford Bridge all season before its match against the Black Cats but a defense missing first-choice center halves Alex and John Terry fell apart. Nedum Onuoha put Sunderland ahead in the 44th minute with a stunning individual effort before Gyan scored his fourth goal in three games to make it 2-0 in the 52nd. Welbeck then took advantage of a careless back pass by Ashley Cole to slip in the third with three minutes left. “They've done fantastically well,” Sunderland manager Steve Bruce said of his players. “I'm delighted for them. It's not often you come to Chelsea and win 3-0.” It was Chelsea's third defeat of the season, and second in three matches following a 2-0 loss at Liverpool last Sunday. Brazil defender Alex was ruled out Friday with a knee injury but captain Terry's absence, because of a nerve problem sustained in training Saturday, hit Chelsea hard. His replacement Paulo Ferreira, usually a right back, was out of his depth in the middle as Gyan and Welbeck ran rings round the Portugal international. The Blues also missed the presence of dynamic midfielder Michael Essien, who was suspended following his red card against Fulham Wednesday. The result could have been even worse for the hosts had Branislav Ivanovic, Ferreira's partner in central defense, been given a red card in the 40th minute for a foul on the lively Welbeck when the former Manchester United forward was through on goal. Ivanovic escaped with a yellow but he and his teammates were not spared further punishment as their team conceded their first goals at home since March.
