John Terry says Chelsea players are thinking of Jose Mourinho after his Stamford Bridge sacking

John Terry admits the players' thoughts are with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, and says the fans are right to criticise the players for recent performances.

The Blues beat Sunderland 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in their first game after Mourinho's sacking on Thursday, with Guus Hiddink appointed as interim manager until the end of the season just before kick-off.

Mourinho's name was sung by the Chelsea fans throughout the game, while Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas drew criticism from supporters for their performances this season with jeers before and during the 90 minutes.

Post Jose Blues

Fans make their feelings known at the Bridge

However Terry says all players are in a position to be criticised having used his programme notes to dismiss suggestions player power had a role to play in the manager's exit.

"Our thoughts are with the manager, because we're disappointed that it falls on his head unfortunately," the Blues skipper told Sky Sports.

"I think all of us are in this position, there's not one or two individuals. That's me speaking honestly. We're in this position because one or two have performed and the rest haven't unfortunately.

"That's behind us now, in the past, we have to move on and win football matches. There was a lot of pressure on us before the game, but listen, we brought that on ourselves.

"We're big enough to stand up and be counted for, and today we needed everyone, and everyone was superb today.

"Some of the football was excellent, we were delighted with the first half."

Goals from Branislav Ivanovic, Pedro and Oscar gave Chelsea the three points, just their fifth win in 17 Premier League games this season.

And Terry believes that with performances like this, the fans will be back on side, but understands their current frustrations. 

"Absolutely [they have to get the fans back on side], and rightly so, Chelsea are such a big club, we're not used to this and have had a lot of success over the last 10 years.

"They'll support us through this difficult period and we will come out on top sooner or later.

"If we keep putting in performances like that, the fans will be happy and will be going home with smiles on their faces. But rightly so they are disappointed and so are we, we don't want to be where we are."

Terry is also looking forward to the arrival of Hiddink, who he played under during the Dutchman's first spell at the club in 2009. 

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

"He was very important before he came in. He was very demanding, his training sessions were intense, he'll demand from everyone, and he's a great man-manager as well. I'm looking forward to him coming in."

Ivanovic echoed his team-mate's words after the clash, saying the frustrations of the fans are understandable. 

He said: "Of course I can understand the frustration of the fans, this is normal. We all know what Jose Mourinho means for this club, nobody can change that.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

"It was a very emotional day for all of us, but I think we have all the support of everyone in the club.

"This club does not deserve to be in the position it is in now. We all deserve to be criticised. The football is all about the players, how the players are on the pitch. 

"The players put Chelsea in this position, and the only way to change this position is the players."