Wilkinson encouraged even in defeat

Last updated : 01 December 2002 By Black Cat
Since Wilkinson took over at The Stadium of Light from Peter Reid, Sunderland have only scored four goals in seven games and the defeat at Stamford Bridge saw them slip back into the Premiership tables bottom three.

"I am happier with this performance than the one against Liverpool a couple of weeks ago," said Wilko.

"We defended well at Anfield but this time we showed some of the confidence we will need to get out of the position we are in.

" We've more to take into the next game after the performance we put in here.

"Once the result was settled by the first goal we lost our way a bit but before that we looked at times like a side who could give other teams problems.

"At 1-0 I felt we were still in it to a certain extent and it might have been different but for a great recovery by Graeme Le Saux which stopped David Bellion, our substitute, from getting us back in it.

"We had some chances but once we were behind we had to take a few more risks and that gave Chelsea the chance to add some more goals.

"We're back in the bottom three and that's something you just have to swallow but the performance we gave can be a crutch for us to lean on.''

Chelsea Match Report