Manchester United slumped to a third consecutive loss for the first time in nearly 13 years when Sunderland added to manager David Moyes troubles by winning the first leg of their League Cup semifinal 2-1 on Tuesday. Chicago Blackhawks Pro Shop . The setback against the Premier Leagues last-place team completed a hat trick of 2-1 losses at the start of 2014 for Moyes, in his first season as Alex Fergusons successor. United, which won the Premier League by 11 points last season before Ferguson retired, trails leader Arsenal by 11 points after losing to Tottenham on New Years Day. And the FA Cup quest ended at the first hurdle on Sunday when Swansea won their third round meeting at Old Trafford. "(The fans) know we are going through a difficult time," Moyes said. "They have probably never seen it as bad as this for a long time. But I am determined to put it right, Im sure we will." The Red Devils can still reach the League Cup final at Wembley if they overturn the deficit at Old Trafford on Jan 22. Sunderlands victory was secured from the penalty spot in the 65th minute by Fabio Borini after United midfielder Tom Cleverley tripped Adam Johnson. Sunderland took the lead when 40-year-old United veteran Ryan Giggs inadvertently bundled the ball into his own net just before halftime when under pressure from Phil Bardsley. Nemanja Vidic headed United level seven minutes into the second half before -- according to Moyes -- United was thwarted by a poor decision by referee Andre Marriner in awarding the penalty. "I feel we are having to play the opposition and the officials at this moment in time," Moyes said on Uniteds in-house television station. "Maybe Ive got to understand thats what happens at Man United. But if we do, we certainly arent getting much in our favour at this moment in time." The outlook isnt completely bleak for the Scot, with his team still in the Champions League and facing Olympiakos in the round of 16 next month. The 72-year-old Ferguson continues to loom large over his successor, watching at the Stadium of Light in his role as a United director on another miserable night for the club he managed for more than 26 trophy-laden years. With Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney injured, Moyes was relying on Danny Welbeck for goals. However, the striker was shackled by a defence including former United defenders Wes Brown and John OShea. "If we can get them (Van Persie and Rooney) back for the second leg that would be great," Moyes said. United was the first team to have the ball in the net, but Adnan Januzajs effort was ruled out on the ground where he scored twice on his debut in October because Giggs was adjudged to be in an offside position. Sunderland sprang into life as the first half was ending, with Bardsley driving a low shot at United goalkeeper David de Gea before the hosts went in front. Seb Larsson whipped in a free kick that was met at the far post by Brown, who squared the ball across the goalmouth before Giggs turned it into his own net. Having dominated before the break, it seemed United would stage a comeback when it equalized early in the second half. Vidic soared above former teammates OShea and Brown to head home Cleverleys corner. But shortly after De Gea blocked Larssons sliced strike, the United goalkeeper found Borinis spotkick unstoppable as it went high into the net. The players, like Moyes, blamed the referee. "Its getting laughable now the decisions arent quite going for us," Giggs said. For Sunderland, the focus is now on topflight survival with the northeast England club four points from safety. "Whatever it is we need to bring it into the league very quickly," said OShea, the Sunderland captain. "The players know we have plenty of quality, its just making sure we use it at the right times." The first leg of the other semifinal between Manchester City and West Ham is on Wednesday. Wholesale Blackhawks Jerseys . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. Getting Creative The Pittsburgh Penguins will try their best to acquire Ryan Kesler from the Vancouver Canucks before the Trade Deadline. Chicago Blackhawks Store . I wondered how NHL coaches would feel about a playoff schedule that allowed them to open a best-of-seven series on the road, which many claim to favour, yet still gave them the precious home-ice edge for a seventh game. https://www.cheapblackhawks.com/ . I wondered how NHL coaches would feel about a playoff schedule that allowed them to open a best-of-seven series on the road, which many claim to favour, yet still gave them the precious home-ice edge for a seventh game.LONDON -- In another twist to this unpredictable English Premier League season, bottom side Sunderland damaged Chelseas title hopes with a shock 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. After surprise defeats to Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in recent weeks, Chelsea again stuttered against weaker opposition, as Jose Mourinhos 77-match unbeaten home run as Chelsea boss came to an end in a major boost for league leader Liverpool. Chelsea could not hold onto its lead after Samuel Etoo opened the scoring, as Connor Wickham levelled from a rebound six minutes later following Marcos Alonsos long-range effort. Fabio Borini then scored from the spot after Cesar Azpilicueta brought down Jozy Altidore in the box with eight minutes remaining. Elsewhere, Crystal Palace claimed a fifth consecutive win with a 1-0 defeat of West Ham to secure its place in the topflight next season, and Swansea secured a vital 2-1 win at Newcastle that piled more pressure on Magpies manager Alan Pardew. Peter Whittinghams second-half penalty gave Cardiff a precious point in a 1-1 draw against Stoke, and Aston Villa could record only a goalless home draw with Southampton. Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone made 14 saves as Chelsea blew the opportunity to dislodge Liverpool from top spot. The Reds will have the chance to extend their lead to five points at Norwich on Sunday. After holding Manchester City to a draw midweek, Gus Poyets players were again the party-poopers. The Black Cats took four points from their last two games and are just three points from safety. "With Sunderland this year, anything can happen," said Poyet, a former Chelsea player. With three matches to go and a potential title decider at Anfield next weekend, Mourinhos side cant afford any more slip-ups in its quest for a fourth Premier League crown. After Etoo put Chelsea in front, Schwarzer --who replaced Petr Cech after the Czech keeper was ruled out by a virus -- could only parry Alonsos effort away and the ball came back straight to Wickham, who made no mistake from the rebound. Chelsea players showed their frustration and midfielder Ramires hit Sebastian Larsson in the face with an elbow before Altidore went down under Azpilicuetas challenge. Fake Blackhawks Jerseys. On-loan Liverpool player Borini kept his head cool to score the resulting penalty "When I went to take the penalty I thought goal. Thats why we take penalties, because youre confident," Borini said. "We showed great character and belief." Mourinho and his staff were not happy with the referee after the penalty decision and assistant coach Rui Faria was sent to the stands. Mourinho had to drag Faria away from fourth official Phil Dowd as the hosts protests turned bitter. "His performance was unbelievable and when referees have unbelievable performances its fair to congratulate them," Mourinho said ironically about referee Mike Dean. "He came here with one objective, the objective to make a fantastic performance and he did that." Against Newcastle, Swansea striker Wilfried Bony scored twice to take his goal tally for the season in all competitions to 22 as his team moved six points above the relegation zone with three matches left. Newcastle remained in ninth place despite its calamitous run of five consecutive losses but fans are showing increasing anger, with growing calls for Pardew to step down as manager. In Cardiff, Whittinghams 50th-minute goal cancelled out Marko Arnautovics penalty -- the first spot-kick Cardiff has conceded this season -- that was converted during the dying seconds of an otherwise forgettable first half. Cardiff remains stuck in the relegation zone, two points adrift of possible safety. With its fifth consecutive league win -- a feat it did not achieve since December 1992 -- Palace is mathematically safe from relegation. But included in that streak is a 3-0 win at Cardiff on April 5, a match which is the subject of a league investigation: The Welsh club claims Palace obtained its lineup before the game. Tottenham kept its small hopes of a top-four finish alive and dented Fulhams survival ambitions with a 3-1 win over its London rival. Spurs are four points behind fourth-place Arsenal, though the Gunners have played one game less. ' ' '