Connor Wickham and Fabio Borini both netted in Sunderland's 2-1 victory over Chelsea[GETTY]Jose Mourinho finally lost his unbeaten home record at Chelsea after 77 games as rock-bottom Sunderland caused one of the shocks of the season on Saturday.
The defeat leaves Chelsea five points behind leaders Liverpool meaning Brendan Rodgers side can even afford to lose to Mourinho's team this Sunday and remain in control.
Chelsea took an early lead through Samuel Eto'o but Sunderland hit back within six minutes when Connor Wickham pounced after Mark Schwarzer spilled Marcus Alonso's shot. And former Chelsea man Fabio Borini settled it after Cesar Azpilicueta slid into Jozy Altidore and referee Mike Dean awarded a penalty.
Mourinho did not offer his thoughts on the title race after the game, preferring instead a bitterly sarcastic barb at referee Mike Dean and referees' boss Mike Riley.
He also did not talk about tomorrow's first leg Champions League semi-final at Atletico Madrid, but if Chelsea are to finish the season with silverware, then this is the competition that offers the best hope.
Midfielder Nemanja Matic, who is ineligible for the game following his January transfer from Benfica, does not believe the players took their eye off the ball against Sunderland.
He said: "We did give our best but we were unlucky and we lost because of that.
"For us, Sunderland was the most important game. This is football and sometimes you have to lose, unluckily it has happened.
"Now we adjust the team's focus for the next game. It's going to be a difficult game because Atletico are a good team but we are Chelsea and the players will be prepared for that."
Mark Schwarzer was required in goal because Petr Cech fell ill to a virus on the morning of the match and Chelsea are hopeful that he will have recovered to face Atletico.
Chelsea could have been awarded a penalty when Seb Larsson barged into Ramires as the midfielder was about to head into an empty net. But they were fortunate that Ramires stayed on the pitch shortly after as he sought retribution by smashing his forearm into Larsson's face.
Jose Mourinho sarcastically congratulated the referee Mike Dean after the game [GETTY]For us, Sunderland was the most important game. This is football and sometimes you have to lose, unluckily it has happened
Referee Dean missed that and took no action when Adam Johnson went into Cesar Azpilicueta with a high boot in the 32nd minute. It was not his finest performance.
But he looked to have got the penalty decision right, not that Chelsea assistant coach Rui Faria agreed.
His outburst at the referee was spectacular and it took several of his backroom colleagues to drag him away after he was dismissed by Dean.
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet had sympathy with Faria. "At this stage of the season if you really believe it was not a penalty, sometimes we lose it a little bit," he said.
"I understand why because, if it was against me and I lose this game with a penalty similar to that one, probably I would be totally different to how I am talking to you."
Poyet was more concerned that Sunderland's great escape is back on after he himself said they needed a miracle to stay up following the 5-1 defeat to Tottenham.
"I want the ground full for the game against Cardiff and so loud. I want this to be the last game of the season because that is a game we need to win. If we want to have a chance to do something special - we'll call it a miracle - now we need to go on and believe we can do it.
"The players are delighted and to see them smiling again is something special for me because it has been very difficult."
Borini helped his parent side Liverpool by scoring the winner at Stamford Bridge [GETTY]He had mixed feelings after damaging his old club's title chances. "To be the first team somehow to beat Mourinho's Chelsea at home is a privilege and a little bit of mixed emotions because of course I have been here and I know how important this game was for Chelsea," he said.
"What I have done is bad, but I'm sorry I was just doing my best for Sunderland."
CHELSEA: (4-2-3-1): Schwarzer 6; Ivanovic 6, Cahill 7, Terry 6, Azpilicueta 6; Ramires 5, Matic 8; Salah 6 (Schurrle 66 6), Oscar 6 (Ba 59 5), Willian 8; Eto'o 7 (Torres 74 6). Booked: Torres. Goal: Eto'o 12.
SUNDERLAND (4-1-4-1): Mannone 7, Vergini 6, O'Shea 8, Brown 8, Alonso 7: Cattermole 6; Johnson 5 (Giaccherini 66 6), Larsson 6 (Celustka 90), Colback 8, Borini 7; Wickham 7 (Altidore 66 7). Booked: Cattermole, Brown. Goals: Wickham 18, Borini 82pen.
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).
Next Up: Chelsea - Tomorrow, Atletico Madrid (a) Champions League.
Sunderland - Sun April 27, Cardiff (h) league.
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