THE hapless Kevin Kilbane made sure that Sunderland were ultimately caught with their pants down - both literally and metaphorically - at Stamford Bridge.

London's west end has witnessed a few trouserless escapades in its time, more often than not courtesy of a Brian Rix farce.

But it has rarely seen anything like this. With his side a goal behind (no pun intended) and under 20 minutes left, Kilbane was red-cheeked in more ways than one in front of the dug-outs as he bent down to pull up his shorts, which had mysteriously gone to ground.

The embarrassment must have been too much for all concerned in the Black Cats' camp. Moments later, manager Howard Wilkinson told Kilbane to warm his well-aired rear on the visiting bench.

At least he didn't have far to walk, and a smile showed his sense of humour was still intact

By the end of the game, however, the same couldn't be said of Sunderland's disgruntled travelling fans.

Having watched their side produce an improved performance in a goalless first half in which they were near enough a match for Premiership title aspirants Chelsea, Sunderland eventually - much like Kilbane's shorts - fell apart at the seams.

That they weren't hit for six was largely down to another inspired display from goalkeeper Jurgen Macho.

The Austrian pulled off three magnificent second-half saves, the first of which was a one-handed stop from the impressive Graeme Le Saux in the 54th minute.

But only four minutes later, Macho's defence went AWOL when left-back Le Saux switched flanks to whip in a right-wing cross that found centre-back William Gallas completely unmarked at the far post, and the Frenchman fired home first time.

Before the goal, Wilkinson had utility man Darren Williams primed to enter the fray.

After Chelsea struck, a quick rethink saw French front-runner David Bellion take the place of defender Joachim Bjorklund, who had been following Gianfranco Zola's every move, as Sunderland attempted to chase the game.

Had Bellion been on from the start, things might have been different.

It's easy to see why Manchester United, among others, are keeping tabs on the pacey 20-year-old, who Sunderland are to offer a new contract in a bid to prevent him leaving on a Bosman free transfer at the end of the season.

Bellion's drive forced keeper Carlo Cudicini to save at the second attempt before Le Saux made a miraculous recovery to execute an excellent saving tackle as the Sunderland man bore down on goal.

But it was Macho, outstanding in the stubborn rearguard action which earned a goalless draw at Liverpool a fortnight ago, and the ever-vigilant Phil Babb in particular, who really shone for Sunderland.

Macho was at full stretch to keep the Wearsiders in the hunt as he saved superbly from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and substitute Mario Stanic late in the game.

But earlier, in the 70th minute, the keeper had been indebted to Babb when he found midfielder Frank Lampard's shot too hot to handle and the centre-back - celebrating his 32nd birthday - seemingly emerged from nowhere in the goalmouth to clear just as Marcel Desailly looked certain to scramble the ball in.

Alas, it only delayed the arrival of Desailly's first goal of the season by 15 minutes. Macho claimed he was impeded as he flapped at Le Saux's in-swinging corner from the right but, like defensive partner Gallas, skipper Desailly was unchallenged as he lashed the ball into the roof of the net.

A minute from time, Hasselbaink hit his sixth this term, finding room in the middle from Zola's precision pass to fire past the exposed Macho.

Sunderland, who failed to manage a shot of any description at Anfield, at least on this occasion produced two on target.

But the increasingly frustrated Kevin Phillips, like Bellion, was foiled by Cudicini.

Wilkinson's side are all graft and no craft, and if they don't create more chances, they won't score goals.

Kilbane's mishap aside, the bottom line is: Sunderland are in big trouble.

Result: Chelsea 3 Sunderland 0.

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