Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti takes disappointment and stunning victories with the same coolly unruffled manner.
Having seen his charges dismantle and rout Sunderland yesterday, The Italian said: “That was the best performance this season.
“We started well and [two-goal] Nicolas Anelka is a top striker and I’m lucky to have him in my squad.
“Of all the goals, scored today, Ashley Cole’s was the best. His movement, dribbling and finishing were of the highest quality.
“I replaced him at half-time because he had an ankle problem - I also took John Terry off as a precaution, it’s no big problem.”
With four goals in the first half and three in the second, Ancelotti said: “We want to play for the full 90 minutes. We used all our experience.”
With Chelsea’s trio of African players away, Ancelotti added: We are as strong as ever. We can play with or without the African players - we have a fantastic squad.
“We don’t need to send a message out to other teams about our performances.”
Asked if he had ever managed a side to a seven-goal haul, Ancelotti said he hadn’t.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce was shell-shocked.
“We were hammered,” he admitted.
“It’s difficult to analyse - we just could not cope all over the park with Chelsea.
“Our defence was inept.
2We had eight people out with suspensions and injuries but there are no excuses.
“We need our big players back as soon as possible and might have four or five of them back next week.
“It was just so easy for Chelsea.
Their strength is the depth of their squad. They have so many good players to come in.
“I have always said that whoever finishes above them will win the title.
“But I won’t panic over this hiding from Chelsea. I might go into the transfer market but I won’t be ultra busy.”