Overview
- Chelsea's 2-1 loss at Sunderland on Sunday left the club in 10th place and without qualification for any European competition next season.
- Interim head coach Calum McFarlane apologised to supporters at full-time and is expected to remain on the coaching staff when Xabi Alonso takes charge.
- Wesley Fofana was sent off in the 61st minute of the match, leaving Chelsea with 10 men and reinforcing McFarlane's criticism of the team's discipline.
- Reports disagree on the season total of Chelsea red cards, with AFP citing eight and other outlets reporting 11, but all outlets agree discipline was unusually poor.
- The result caps a turbulent season marked by multiple managerial changes, an FA Cup final defeat and heavy transfer spending that failed to deliver expected performance or European income, raising pressure on Alonso to fix culture and consistency.