Following his team's 3-0 loss to Sunderland, Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti accused his players of lacking the necessary "fighting spirit, attitude and mentality" in what was Chelsea biggest loss since the arrival of billionaire owner Roman Abramovich in 2003.

The Italian added that the poor performance shouldn't be blamed on the firing of his assistant Ray Wilkins on Thursday.

"I don't think this result had anything to do with what happened to Ray," Ancelotti said. "We lost because Sunderland played better than us. We played our worst game of the season. It was probably the worst we've played since I came here."

Chelsea was missing captain John Terry and Frank Lampard to injury, while Michael Essien was suspended. Didier Drogba is still laboring as he recovers from malaria.