Xabi Alonso explains Levi Colwill's substitution

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has revealed that Levi Colwil's substitution at half-time against Sunderland was due to his booking.

The Blues suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Sunderland on the road earlier today. Enzo Le Fee scored from the penalty spot from a foul from Colwill.

Colwill was probably hard done by the decision and he was shortly after substituted. Alonso has now revealed that the sub was due to his booking.

He said: "Yeah I mean, there was a reason... He had a yellow card as well. We didn't want to take risks. And it had been something that we had been working on during the week."

With the defeat to the Black Cats, Chelsea have dropped to fifth in the league standings. They are presently on 16 points, already 11 behind current leaders and reigning champions Arsenal.

The Blues will play host to Leeds United in their next league match. Emiliano Martinez, who missed the weekend fixture, could make his comeback from a jaw fracture against the Whites.