Sunderland 2 Chelsea 3

THE Stadium of Light was rocking at 5.55pm yesterday as it became apparent that Sunderland will be the North East’s only representatives in the Premier League next season.

News of Hull City’s defeat guaranteed Sunderland top flight football for a third successive season, but it was the confirmation that their safety had also come at the expense of their bitter Tyneside rivals that sparked unprecedented scenes of celebration among the Wearside faithful.

The Black Cats’ 3-2 defeat to Chelsea became a sideshow to the carnival atmosphere that swept through the stadium and into the city.

Martin O’Neill can be sure of a hero’s welcome next time he ventures into these parts after his Aston Villa side sent Newcastle down to the Championship and helped the club he supported as a boy retain their grip on the top flight.

The Black Cats are certain to undertake a major summer overhaul – starting with the appointment of a new manager after Ricky Sbragia last night announced he was stepping down.

With Ellis Short poised to complete his takeover at Sunderland, the club are set for huge change after a campaign that promised much but delivered a nail-biting battle against the drop.

But there will be plenty of time for reflection and last night was a chance for Sunderland to party.

With Chelsea due to play in the FA’s Wembley showpiece next Saturday, Sbragia had identified yesterday’s game as being Sunderland’s very own cup final.

The afternoon certainly had the feel of Wembley final with both sets of fans in shirt sleeves thanks to the soaring Bank Holiday temperatures.

After 37 minutes and 49 seconds of the first half, news hit the terraces that Damien Duff had scored an own goal. The Stadium of Light celebrated as if club captain Dean Whitehead had just lifted the FA Cup itself.

The news galvanised both Sunderland’s players and fans alike after a first half in which Guus Hiddink’s side showed why they’d pushed Manchester United so hard for the Premier League title this season.

On the odd occasion when the home midfield managed to feed lone striker Kenwyne Jones, the Trinidad and Tobago international found his way blocked by the twin towers of John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic.

Despite suffering a 3-1 defeat at Porstmouth last Monday night, Sbragia named an unchanged side after midfielder Steed Malbranque passed a late fitness test on his injured hip.

That meant Jones relied on Kieran Richardson for support.

And the pair combined to great effect when Jones’ presence distracted Petr Cech, allowing Richardson to fire home from close range for his fourth goal of the campaign.

But too much of the former Manchester United midfielder’s time was spent competing with Essien and Michael Ballack, where Whitehead and Tainio were also given a tough afternoon..

Hiddink, in his last league game in charge of the Blues, sent out an attacking line-up with the presence of firstchoice strikers Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba clearly signalling his intention to end his tenure on a high.

Centre half Anton Ferdinand was obviously very keen to make amends after his defensive howler contributed to Sunderland’s collapse at Fratton Park a week earlier.

The former West Ham defender enjoyed an early confidence boost when his clever anticipation helped break up a dangerous-looking forward thrust by Drogba and Essien.

The visitors’ ability to counter attack at pace, most notably through Florent Malouda on the left side, served to remind why the visitors have won 13 Premier League games Drogba tested Marton Fulop’s reactions but the Hungarian managed to fist away the near-post effort.

Sunderland’s inability to hold the ball up in midfield ensured they spent much of the first half fending off waves of Chelsea attacks. Whoever is brought in to manage the club, their priority must be to recruit a quality midfield enforcer.

Both Drogba and Essien had shots charged down before Malouda almost broke the deadlock, but his strike hammered against the crossbar to send the sides in level at half-time.

As the stadium announcer confirmed that both Newcastle and Hull were trailing the celebratory atmosphere continued.

But the crowd were subdued when Anelka took his season’s tally to 25 with a superb strike just after the restart. The Frenchman turned just inside the Sunderland half, motored past Teemu Tainio’s half-hearted challenge and before Ferdinand could close him down, let fly from 25 yards The goal gave the home side a kick up the backside and they began to match Chelsea’s quality in the final third.

Leadbitter, who was outstanding, turned Essien one way then the other before flighting a cross that set up Richardson’s equaliser.

But Chelsea regained the lead courtesy of some static defending and another excellent strike.

Whitehead’s clearing header fell to second half substitute Saloman Kalou, who struck a sweet shot through a crowded penalty area and past Fulop’s desperate dive.

Five minutes from time Chelsea sealed the game after the home side had penalty claims waved away by referee Mark Halsey.

Andy Reid’s shot seemed to deflect off Michael Mancienne’s arm but as the referee ignored the home side’s protests, Chelsea broke and Ashley Cole fired home to ensure Hiddink’s spell in charge ended in victory.

But the visitors were given a nervy last few minutes after Jones headed home Reid’s cross.

Collins’ close-range effort at the near post almost snatched a draw but, ultimately, it did not matter as results elsewhere ensured Sunderland will be the only North-East club playing in the world’s richest league next season.