Sunderland against Chelsea

Chelsea have all their players in their own half as Davis hoofs a long clearance downfield. They have been made to work hard to protect their lead.

Hoyte's cross from the right is over-hit and goes behind. A wasted chance to send over a testing ball.

SHOT! Lampard cuts inside on to his left foot after working a yard of space inside the penalty area, but his shot flies a couple of yards over the crossbar.

Chelsea are conceding a lot of ground to the home side, inviting them to attack and hoping to hit on the break.

SAVE! Davis has to be alert to save low down to his right after Cole flicks a Duff cross goalwards at the near post.

Sunderland are at least mounting a bit of pressure on Chelsea as the game comes to a close; again, there is a penalty shout as Terry pulls at the shirt of Gray.

CHELSEA SUB: Huth replaces Gudjohnsen. Mourinho opts to go with five at the back for the final ten minutes as they bid to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Carvalho and Gray tangle in the penalty area as the two compete for a loose ball. The Sunderland player goes to ground, but the referee doesn't see it as an penalty.

Sunderland have had a bit more possession since Robben's sending off, but Chelsea are good enough to see this out without any real scares. Aren't they?

SUNDERLAND SUBS: Murphy and Gray replace Stead and Le Tallac. The front two for Sunderland have worked very hard with little impact. It's a last throw of the dice by McCarthy.

Cech comes a long way to punch clear Lawrence's cross from the right wing, taking out Le Tallac in the process. The young striker is flat out on the turf, and needs treatment from the Sunderland physio.

Cech easily collects a near-post cross after Whitehead had broken down the right for the home side.

Sunderland don't seem to even have the belief that they can snatch an equaliser; they aren't really committing players forward or threatening the Chelsea goal in any way whatsoever.

The tempo of the game has rather slowed since Chelsea's second goal. The visitors seem content to play out the rest of the game and take home three hard-earned points.

HEADER! Le Tallac makes a good run and leap to get on the end of Arca's chip in to the penalty area, but his header is straight at Cech.

Collins pushes over Cole after the Chelsea substitute robbed him of the ball in his own half.

Sunderland don't really look like they have the firepower to test Chelsea, even with a man-advantage. Le Tallac and Stead have been virtually anonymous in the second half.

CHELSEA SUB: Crespo is replaced by Cole. A second attacking change by Mourinho as he brings some strength and power to his side with the introduction of Cole.

So, Chelsea get the secong goal that they desperately craved, but are now down to ten men after Robben's second yellow. Can Sunderland push on and get an unlikely equaliser?

OFF! Incredibly, Robben is sent off. He is shown a second yellow card for jumping in to the crowd when celebrating his goal!

GOAL! Robben's deflected shot from the right-corner of the penalty area flies past a helpless Davis.

Sunderland seem to be preparing a substitution, with Bassila warming up on the sidelines.

A rare Sunderland attack results in a corner. Breen jogs forward, rather tiredly, to join the attack. Lawrencse swings in the corner, but Del Horno makes a good headed clearance.

Chelsea's only other attacking option on the bench is Carlton Cole, who has barely played this season.

A sloppy pass from Le Tallac in midfield gifts possession back to Chelsea. The ball is worked to Gudjohnsen, but his effort from 25 yards is dragged well wide of the far post.

Duff's first contribution is to send over a cross from the left, though Breen heads away with Crespo waiting.

CHELSEA SUB: Duff replaces Cole. Mourinho opts to freshen up his side by bringing on the flying Irish winger to replace Cole, who I think has had a good game.

The game is getting a bit stretched, which won't please Sunderland. Makalele makes a rare venture up-field, but his cross is too hot for Robben at the near post.

Lawrence sends another good cross over from the right-hand side, but Carvalho spots the danger and heads clear.

Sunderland have got a real job on their hands to keep Chelsea out, but they are just about managing at the moment.

Gudjohnsen mounts a swift counter attack, running direct at the heart of the Sunderland defence. Caldwell and Breen stand strong, before Davis makes a comfortable low save from Lampard's shot.

Mourinho must have really had some words to say at the break; his side have come out flying in this second half.

GREAT SAVE! Davis is having an incredible couple of minutes in the Sunderland goal. Shots are reigning in, but he is keeping out everything. This time he palms away a swerving Robben effort from 20 yards.

Chelsea are really mounting the pressure now; Lampard collects a half-cleared corner and fires a low cross across the face of goal, but no-one can turn it in the back post.

SAVE! Davis makes two superb saves in the space of a minute or so, first from Crespo and then from a low shot from Lampard from the edge of the area.

Cole's cross from the right flies across the face of goal, with Davis caught a little in no-man's land.

Sunderland boss McCarthy will need to keep an eye on his team's tiredness levels as the half goes on; they are working very hard when Chelsea have the ball.

Lawrence's cross from the right is claimed at his near post by Cech. Le Tallac and Stead were caught a bit on their heels; they need to be a bit more alive when their side have the ball.

Good skills by Robben as he skips past his marker inside the penalty area and tries to get a shot away; Hoyte does well to stick with him and block his effort.

Gallas's attempted cross is charged down by Arca, who stays down to receive some treatment. He seems to have been winded by the blow, and looks a little groggy as he is led off the pitch.

SHOT! Cole finds himself in some space, 25 yards out. He turns and hits a good right-foot shot, though Davis makes a comfortable save in the middle of his goal.

Chelsea have been excellent in the past at winning games that they haven't been at their best in. Can they do the same this afternoon? Stay here and find out...

SAVE! Davis makes a good low save down to his left from a Crespo effort after good work from Robben out on the left.

Chelsea are knocking the ball about at the back and in midfield, and Sunderland seem happy for them to do so.

Chelsea are back out now, and Sunderland kick off the second period. No changes at the break.

Sunderland have been out for a couple of minutes, warming up for what will be a tough second half.

HALF-TIME: A battling display by Sunderland sees them go in level at the break. Chelsea have been far from their best, and will be looking to step it up in the second period.

CHANCE! The corner is cleared, but Arca's return in to the middle is met by Le Tallac, who can only head straight at Cech.

Sunderland win a corner off Gallas...

Davis shows good alertness to collect Cole's through-ball as Crespo sprinted down the middle.

The home side have played a high-pressure first-half, and will be glad for the chance for a little break and refreshment.

ALMOST! Robben slips a great little pass in to the path of Lampard, breaking in to the penalty area, but Breen and Caldwell combine to muscle him off the ball and clear the danger.

Sunderland, of course, will be delighted to go in at half-time with the scores level; it really gives them something to be positive about in the second half.

Great defending by Arca as he tracks Gallas' one-two with Lampard and makes a crucial challenge inside his own penalty area. Goal-kick.

Lawrence's left-foot cross in to the crowded penalty area causes Cech to make a rather awkward punch clear. Good delivery from the Sunderland man.

Del Horno's headed back pass is a little wayward, and Sunderland win a corner as Cech can't keep the ball in play.

Sunderland still look very solid at the back, despite Chelsea having almost twice as much possession as the home side. Caldwell and Breen are defending very well.

Lampard swings the ball in to the middle, but Davis comes through a crowd to collect. Unfortunately, the keeper then undoes his good work with a hasty clearance, handing possession immediately back to the visitors.

A good determined run from Robben down the left wing wins his side a corner, when Hoyte slides across and puts the ball behind.

A good Chelsea move ends when Caldwell makes a good headed clearance inside his own penalty area; it was important he did, as Lampard was waiting behind him, ready to latch on to any mistake.

BLOCK! Stead latches on to Le Tallac's flick on; he tries to turn to get a shot on goal, but Terry is marking closly and blocks his left-foot shot.

Robben is booked for a foul on Hoyte on the half-way line. It is a clumsy challenge by the winger, but there didn't seem to be anything malicious in it.

Sunderland have done well to settle themselves after the blow of conceding the equalising goal; they are not having as much of the ball as they were previously, but they do at least look quite solid at the back.

Stead tries to spread the play out to the right to Lawrence, but Del Horno is alive to the threat and puts the ball out for a throw.

Television replays are showing that Cole DID keep the ball in play during the build up to Crespo's equaliser. The linesman made the correct decision, it seems.

Crespo takes a whack on the head from the arm of Breen as the two challenged for a header. There is a grimace from the Chelsea man, but he's soon back in the thick of the action.

Crespo heads over from ten yards out - a tough chance, and another sign that the Champions are starting to feel their way in to this match.

It is going to be tough for Sunderland now that Chelsea are starting to find some confidence and form again. There is a long way to go in this match...

It was Crespo's seventh goal in nine matches, and a typical poacher's effort. The Sunderland players and managers are questioning whether the ball had gone out of play before Cole headed back across goal - replays seem inconclusive.

GOAL! Gallas's cross to the back post is nodded back across goal by Cole, and Crespo heads in from two yards out to equalise.

Le Tallac sprints on to Miller's pass out to the left wing; he holds it up for a moment before curling a cross in towards the run of Miller, but Terry makes a crucial interception.

Stead is booked for a tackle from behind on Makelele as the Frenchman looked to get away from him in midfield.

OOH! Arca swing a dangerous cross in to the middle; Le Tallec challenges with Cech, who can only weakly punch the ball to Stead. His shot is blocked by Terry, though the off-side flag stops play.

Chelsea look a little short of ideas; Cole and Robben are doing a lot of roaming from the positions on the flanks, but Sunderland are winning the midfield battle.

Sunderland win a free-kick when Lawrence is pushed to the ground by Del Horno; a chance to swing the ball in to the middle and put some pressure on.

Lampard is caught by a sharp tackle on the halfway line by Whitehead. Free-kick to the Champions.

Caldwell does a good job of mopping up after Breen had missed Cech's massive clearance up-field.

Hoyte intercepts Del Horno's attempted pass out to the left wing to Robben, breaking up another Chelsea move.

To be fair, Chelsea don't look as though they are panicing, despite going a goal-down. They are trying to build from the back and stay patient, though Sunderland are doing a good job of closing down the space in midfield.

Whitehead hussles Makelele on the halfway line, but in his eagerness he gives away a free-kick.

CHANCE! Lampard's shot from the edge of the penalty area is deflected, but Crespo can't direct the ball goalwards from six yards out. Great chance for the Argentinian striker.

SHOT! Lampard shoots from the half-way line after spotting Davis had strayed a few yards off his line as he took a free-kick. The ball flies a yard or so over the bar, but it was a good effort.

The goal has really got the Sunderland fans singing; they have real hope now that their side can go on and cause a massive upset.

It is Lawrence's second goal in two Premiership games, and will give the underdogs a massive boost.

GOAL! Lawrence latches on to a poor defensive header by Terry and drills a low volley inside the near post from 16 yards out. Great goal.

WIDE! Lampard slices a volley from the edge of the penalty area high and wide of the goal. He couldn't quite get his feet in the right position to direct his shot on target.

I don't think the pitch is helping things; it is rather bobbly and heavy.

It has been a quiet start to the match, really; Chelsea are yet to hit their straps, and Sunderland haven't been able to string more than three passes together.

The Sunderland fans are the ones making all the noise at the moment. To their credit, they have kept smiling all the way through this torrid season, and been a credit to their club.

Lampard clips a nice lofted pass over the top of the Sunderland back-four, but Robben is flagged for off-side. Replays show the Dutchman was at least five yards ON-side.

Chelsea haven't quite got going yet; their passing has been a little sloppy in the early minutes.

LAMPARD! The Chelsea midfielder strikes a shot from 30 yards, but it flies over Davis' crossbar. Decent effort.

SHOT! Stead cuts in from the left wing and drives a low shot goalwards from the corner of the area, but Cech saves easily. Good, postitive run from the Sunderland striker.

Chelsea are lining up with their traditional 4-3-3 formation, with Robben and Cole supporting Crespo up front.

Chelsea get the match underway. Crespo almost slips Cole through on goal with a nice reverse pass, but it is a little too strong and the ball runs out.

The two sides will kick off with 52 points separating them. It seems like Mission: Impossible for the Black Cats - but football can be a great leveller...

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has turned to his big guns once again as he attempted to establish a 16-point Barclays Premiership lead over second-placed Manchester United.

Hello there, welcome to coverage of Chelsea's trip to bottom club Sunderland in this afternoon's Premiership clash in the North East.

Collins pushes over Cole after the Chelsea substitute robbed him of the ball in his own half.

Sunderland don't really look like they have the firepower to test Chelsea, even with a man-advantage. Le Tallac and Stead have been virtually anonymous in the second half.

CHELSEA SUB: Crespo is replaced by Cole. A second attacking change by Mourinho as he brings some strength and power to his side with the introduction of Cole.

So, Chelsea get the secong goal that they desperately craved, but are now down to ten men after Robben's second yellow. Can Sunderland push on and get an unlikely equaliser?

OFF! Incredibly, Robben is sent off. He is shown a second yellow card for jumping in to the crowd when celebrating his goal!

GOAL! Robben's deflected shot from the right-corner of the penalty area flies past a helpless Davis.

Sunderland seem to be preparing a substitution, with Bassila warming up on the sidelines.

A rare Sunderland attack results in a corner. Breen jogs forward, rather tiredly, to join the attack. Lawrencse swings in the corner, but Del Horno makes a good headed clearance.

Chelsea's only other attacking option on the bench is Carlton Cole, who has barely played this season.

A sloppy pass from Le Tallac in midfield gifts possession back to Chelsea. The ball is worked to Gudjohnsen, but his effort from 25 yards is dragged well wide of the far post.

Duff's first contribution is to send over a cross from the left, though Breen heads away with Crespo waiting.

CHELSEA SUB: Duff replaces Cole. Mourinho opts to freshen up his side by bringing on the flying Irish winger to replace Cole, who I think has had a good game.

The game is getting a bit stretched, which won't please Sunderland. Makalele makes a rare venture up-field, but his cross is too hot for Robben at the near post.

Lawrence sends another good cross over from the right-hand side, but Carvalho spots the danger and heads clear.

Sunderland have got a real job on their hands to keep Chelsea out, but they are just about managing at the moment.

Gudjohnsen mounts a swift counter attack, running direct at the heart of the Sunderland defence. Caldwell and Breen stand strong, before Davis makes a comfortable low save from Lampard's shot.

Mourinho must have really had some words to say at the break; his side have come out flying in this second half.

GREAT SAVE! Davis is having an incredible couple of minutes in the Sunderland goal. Shots are reigning in, but he is keeping out everything. This time he palms away a swerving Robben effort from 20 yards.

Chelsea are really mounting the pressure now; Lampard collects a half-cleared corner and fires a low cross across the face of goal, but no-one can turn it in the back post.

SAVE! Davis makes two superb saves in the space of a minute or so, first from Crespo and then from a low shot from Lampard from the edge of the area.

Cole's cross from the right flies across the face of goal, with Davis caught a little in no-man's land.

Sunderland boss McCarthy will need to keep an eye on his team's tiredness levels as the half goes on; they are working very hard when Chelsea have the ball.

Lawrence's cross from the right is claimed at his near post by Cech. Le Tallac and Stead were caught a bit on their heels; they need to be a bit more alive when their side have the ball.

Good skills by Robben as he skips past his marker inside the penalty area and tries to get a shot away; Hoyte does well to stick with him and block his effort.

Gallas's attempted cross is charged down by Arca, who stays down to receive some treatment. He seems to have been winded by the blow, and looks a little groggy as he is led off the pitch.

SHOT! Cole finds himself in some space, 25 yards out. He turns and hits a good right-foot shot, though Davis makes a comfortable save in the middle of his goal.

Chelsea have been excellent in the past at winning games that they haven't been at their best in. Can they do the same this afternoon? Stay here and find out...

SAVE! Davis makes a good low save down to his left from a Crespo effort after good work from Robben out on the left.

Chelsea are knocking the ball about at the back and in midfield, and Sunderland seem happy for them to do so.

Chelsea are back out now, and Sunderland kick off the second period. No changes at the break.

Sunderland have been out for a couple of minutes, warming up for what will be a tough second half.

HALF-TIME: A battling display by Sunderland sees them go in level at the break. Chelsea have been far from their best, and will be looking to step it up in the second period.

CHANCE! The corner is cleared, but Arca's return in to the middle is met by Le Tallac, who can only head straight at Cech.

Sunderland win a corner off Gallas...

Davis shows good alertness to collect Cole's through-ball as Crespo sprinted down the middle.

The home side have played a high-pressure first-half, and will be glad for the chance for a little break and refreshment.

ALMOST! Robben slips a great little pass in to the path of Lampard, breaking in to the penalty area, but Breen and Caldwell combine to muscle him off the ball and clear the danger.

Sunderland, of course, will be delighted to go in at half-time with the scores level; it really gives them something to be positive about in the second half.

Great defending by Arca as he tracks Gallas' one-two with Lampard and makes a crucial challenge inside his own penalty area. Goal-kick.

Lawrence's left-foot cross in to the crowded penalty area causes Cech to make a rather awkward punch clear. Good delivery from the Sunderland man.

Del Horno's headed back pass is a little wayward, and Sunderland win a corner as Cech can't keep the ball in play.

Sunderland still look very solid at the back, despite Chelsea having almost twice as much possession as the home side. Caldwell and Breen are defending very well.

Lampard swings the ball in to the middle, but Davis comes through a crowd to collect. Unfortunately, the keeper then undoes his good work with a hasty clearance, handing possession immediately back to the visitors.

A good determined run from Robben down the left wing wins his side a corner, when Hoyte slides across and puts the ball behind.

A good Chelsea move ends when Caldwell makes a good headed clearance inside his own penalty area; it was important he did, as Lampard was waiting behind him, ready to latch on to any mistake.

BLOCK! Stead latches on to Le Tallac's flick on; he tries to turn to get a shot on goal, but Terry is marking closly and blocks his left-foot shot.

Robben is booked for a foul on Hoyte on the half-way line. It is a clumsy challenge by the winger, but there didn't seem to be anything malicious in it.

Sunderland have done well to settle themselves after the blow of conceding the equalising goal; they are not having as much of the ball as they were previously, but they do at least look quite solid at the back.

Stead tries to spread the play out to the right to Lawrence, but Del Horno is alive to the threat and puts the ball out for a throw.

Television replays are showing that Cole DID keep the ball in play during the build up to Crespo's equaliser. The linesman made the correct decision, it seems.

Crespo takes a whack on the head from the arm of Breen as the two challenged for a header. There is a grimace from the Chelsea man, but he's soon back in the thick of the action.

Crespo heads over from ten yards out - a tough chance, and another sign that the Champions are starting to feel their way in to this match.

It is going to be tough for Sunderland now that Chelsea are starting to find some confidence and form again. There is a long way to go in this match...

It was Crespo's seventh goal in nine matches, and a typical poacher's effort. The Sunderland players and managers are questioning whether the ball had gone out of play before Cole headed back across goal - replays seem inconclusive.

GOAL! Gallas's cross to the back post is nodded back across goal by Cole, and Crespo heads in from two yards out to equalise.

Le Tallac sprints on to Miller's pass out to the left wing; he holds it up for a moment before curling a cross in towards the run of Miller, but Terry makes a crucial interception.

Stead is booked for a tackle from behind on Makelele as the Frenchman looked to get away from him in midfield.

OOH! Arca swing a dangerous cross in to the middle; Le Tallec challenges with Cech, who can only weakly punch the ball to Stead. His shot is blocked by Terry, though the off-side flag stops play.

Chelsea look a little short of ideas; Cole and Robben are doing a lot of roaming from the positions on the flanks, but Sunderland are winning the midfield battle.

Sunderland win a free-kick when Lawrence is pushed to the ground by Del Horno; a chance to swing the ball in to the middle and put some pressure on.

Lampard is caught by a sharp tackle on the halfway line by Whitehead. Free-kick to the Champions.

Caldwell does a good job of mopping up after Breen had missed Cech's massive clearance up-field.

Hoyte intercepts Del Horno's attempted pass out to the left wing to Robben, breaking up another Chelsea move.

To be fair, Chelsea don't look as though they are panicing, despite going a goal-down. They are trying to build from the back and stay patient, though Sunderland are doing a good job of closing down the space in midfield.

Whitehead hussles Makelele on the halfway line, but in his eagerness he gives away a free-kick.

CHANCE! Lampard's shot from the edge of the penalty area is deflected, but Crespo can't direct the ball goalwards from six yards out. Great chance for the Argentinian striker.

SHOT! Lampard shoots from the half-way line after spotting Davis had strayed a few yards off his line as he took a free-kick. The ball flies a yard or so over the bar, but it was a good effort.

The goal has really got the Sunderland fans singing; they have real hope now that their side can go on and cause a massive upset.

It is Lawrence's second goal in two Premiership games, and will give the underdogs a massive boost.

GOAL! Lawrence latches on to a poor defensive header by Terry and drills a low volley inside the near post from 16 yards out. Great goal.

WIDE! Lampard slices a volley from the edge of the penalty area high and wide of the goal. He couldn't quite get his feet in the right position to direct his shot on target.

I don't think the pitch is helping things; it is rather bobbly and heavy.

It has been a quiet start to the match, really; Chelsea are yet to hit their straps, and Sunderland haven't been able to string more than three passes together.

The Sunderland fans are the ones making all the noise at the moment. To their credit, they have kept smiling all the way through this torrid season, and been a credit to their club.

Lampard clips a nice lofted pass over the top of the Sunderland back-four, but Robben is flagged for off-side. Replays show the Dutchman was at least five yards ON-side.

Chelsea haven't quite got going yet; their passing has been a little sloppy in the early minutes.

LAMPARD! The Chelsea midfielder strikes a shot from 30 yards, but it flies over Davis' crossbar. Decent effort.

SHOT! Stead cuts in from the left wing and drives a low shot goalwards from the corner of the area, but Cech saves easily. Good, postitive run from the Sunderland striker.

Chelsea are lining up with their traditional 4-3-3 formation, with Robben and Cole supporting Crespo up front.

Chelsea get the match underway. Crespo almost slips Cole through on goal with a nice reverse pass, but it is a little too strong and the ball runs out.

The two sides will kick off with 52 points separating them. It seems like Mission: Impossible for the Black Cats - but football can be a great leveller...

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has turned to his big guns once again as he attempted to establish a 16-point Barclays Premiership lead over second-placed Manchester United.

Hello there, welcome to coverage of Chelsea's trip to bottom club Sunderland in this afternoon's Premiership clash in the North East.