Sunderland vs Chelsea: No European football for Alonso as 10-man Blues lose on final day

The Blues entered the match needing three points to guarantee a spot in Europe, but they succumbed to a disastrous start at the Stadium of Light.

Trai Hume fired the Black Cats into a 24th-minute lead, and things went from bad to worse just after the interval when Malo Gusto, unfortunately, turned the ball into his own net to put Chelsea 2-0 down.

Cole Palmer offered a lifeline in the 55th minute, drilling home a crisp strike to reduce the deficit and net his customary goal.

However, any hopes of a Chelsea comeback were utterly derailed just six minutes later when defender Wesley Fofana was shown a second yellow card, leaving the visitors to fight with 10 men.

Sunderland comfortably held on against the depleted Blues, condemning Chelsea to a 10th-place finish and a second consecutive season without European football.