The final whistle is blown and despite all of Sunderland's efforts, Chelsea take the points. Sunderland will rue their missed chances, they definitely deserved better, but Chelsea come away with the win.

Kenwyne Jones heads a long ball down beautifully for Dean Whithead who drives the shot but it goes fractionally wide of the post. Unlucky Sunderland.

Last minute pressure here from Sunderland but Ian Harte's cross cannot find a Black Cats Head. Surely that was their last chance.

Kalou wins a free-kick on the edge of the Sunderland area, Drogba strikes it but it goes wide.

The fourth official announces there will be three minutes of stoppage time - Can Sunderland win a deserved point?

Yorke picks up Jones with a great cross and Jones leaps well but heads it just over the bar. He probably should have scored there.

Chelsea break away and Drogba plays Wright-Phillips in but Gordon saves well at the winger's feet to keep Sunderland in this.

Ian Harte comes on for Grant Leadbitter who picked up a knock a few moments ago. Roy Keane has used all his changes now, can Harte make an impact?

Chelsea can't keep hold of the ball in the midfield. The home side keep coming back at the visitors.

Another corner for Sunderland and again Whitehead will deliver to a packed area. The hanging cross is well taken by Cudicini under pressure.

Shaun Wright-Phillips replaces Joe Cole who has played well today. Wright-Phillips will be dangerous on the break with his explosive pace.

Sunderland have a corner here as we reach the final ten minutes. Whitehead delivered but Prica couldn't hit the target with his header.

Good sustained pressure from Sunderland, Bardsley crossing but couldn't find an attacking head and Chelsea hold the home side out.

Substitute Dwight Yorke has been involved in everything Sunderland have done since coming - Could he find the opening to get the equalising goal?

A good move from Sunderland sees Dwight Yorke play Jones in beautifully but he couldn't muster the power with the header to beat Cudicini. Roy Keane's change almost paying immediate dividends.

Avram Grant makes his first change bringing on Essien for Ballack - A like for like swap in the midfield.

Sunderland's second change sees O'Donovan replace Dwight Yorke

Another great save from Cudicini as Whitehead whips the ball in beautifully but somehow the equaliser still has not come.

Bardsley brings down Kalou just to the left of the Sunderland area, Lampard to take - Comes to nothing as it is cleared

The ball given away cheaply by O'Donovan just outside his own area, but he makes a mense with a great tackle to deny Drogba the chance to shoot.

Drogba bends the ball across the goal but it flashes over the head of Lampard who surely would have scored if he could have made contact. Chelsea look more dangerous as Sunderland look for the equaliser.

Kalou turns Whithead well on the edge of the area but his pass to Drogba was cut out, Cole fired the ball across the 6 yard box but noone was on hand to turn it in.

Carlos Edwards makes way for Rade Prica after making his return from injury - Will Prica be able to find that elusive equaliser.

A great tackle from Nosworthy on Lampard to break up a fluid Chelsea attack, Reid broke away well but Jones was judged offside as Reid tried to play him in.

The game has become a little fiesty in the last few minutes as both sides realise it is all to play for here.

John Obi Mikel is the first Chelsea player to be booked for a cynical foul on Andy Reid

Grant Leadbitter goes into Mike Dean's book for a tackle from behind - The second Sunderland midfielder to be booked today.

A good cross from Andy Reid aimed at Kenwyne Jones is headed clear by John Terry - Sunderland taking the game to Chelsea here.

Kalou slips the ball through to Drogba on the edge of the box but he is tackled well as he shaped to shoot.

A great opportunity for the equaliser there as Collins heads goalbound from the corner but it goes fractionally wide of the right post - Cudicini was beaten.

A long ball from the back causes the Chelsea defence some problems and after a sliced shot from Reid, Leadbitter drove it goalbound but Cudicini parried it wide.

Dean Whitehead is cautioned for a push on Lampard - Seemed a little harsh really.

Drogba hits a shot from the edge of the box but it is blocked and falls for Joe Cole who blazes his shot well wide.

The second period has started quickly with both sides going forward and getting balls into the box - Collins with an error allowed Joe Cole to get a ball in but it misses everyone and goes behind for a goal kick.

The second period is underway here and Sunderland will definitely hope to continue where they left off in the first half.

Mike Dean blows for half time. Chelsea have the lead thanks to Terry's early header but the Blues have been by no means comfortable as Sunderland press on.

The end of the half is a little frantic here with both sides trying to grab a late goal

Sunderland definitely the better side here - Chelsea can't get a foothold in midfield now and will be hoping for half time to come.

More controversy here with Cudicini reacting to O'Donovan pursuing a ball that Cudicini felt was his - All handbags here at the Stadium of Light.

Chelsea have gone somewhat within themselves here, Mikel and Joe Cole have both dropped a lot deeper to contain Reid and O'Donovan.

O'Donovan picks the pocket of Cole on the left flank and rifles a shot from the edge of the area but it goes just wide. Roy O'Donovan is causing problems here.

Good build up play involving Reid and Whitehead, the cross finds Danny Collins who was forward from full back but his header creeps wide.

Chelsea being pressed back by Sunderland who are looking for an opening with lots of deliveries into Jones but no clear chance results.

Good spell of pressure for Sunderland - Whitehead swings the ball in to O'Donovan and Cudicini is forced low to make the save.

Andy Reid delivers a fantastic free kick that is destined for the top corner and forces Cudicini to scramble and produce a great save to keep Sunderland out.

Some confrontation here involving Joe Cole as he reacted angrily to Whitehead colliding with him on the floor - All seemed a little childish from the winger there.

Jones flicks the ball on from a long ball, Andy Reid lofted the ball in and Carlos Edwards came on to it and volleyed but it ended in row Z. More promising though from the home side.

Chelsea taking control in the last few minutes, Ballack, Mikel and Lampard are dictating the pace of the game now.

More danger for Sunderland as Kalou plays Ashley Cole in who squares it but noone can quite get the killer touch and it is cleared.

The game very open now, Chelsea look threatening when Kalou and Joe Cole get on the ball in wide areas. Sunderland are making a good fist of it so far.

O'Donovan looking dangerous again as the ball is lofted into the box, Leadbitter almost pounced on the lose ball but it is just cleared downfield for Chelsea

Theres been a positive response from the home side after going behind as they go forward well - They need to be weary of the counter attack though.

A fantastic corner from Lampard finds Terry who leaps well to head past Craig Gordon from close range. The visitors are infront here.

A swift attack from Chelsea sees Kalou through on goal but Bardsley on his 50th career league game makes a great tackle and a corner is the result.

Kenwyne Jones heads the ball onto Roy O'Donovan and Terry seems to haul him down in the area but no penalty given - Controversial decision in the opening ten minutes.

Drogba wins a corner for the visitors here - Lampard swings the ball into Ballack but Sunderland clear comfortably.

Roy Keane's men are not shying away from tackles in the early minutes here as they look to disrupt Chelsea's rhythm.

Both sides starting very quickly, Sunderland win an early corner infront of the home fans - Jones gets on the end of it but it is blocked and cleared to Kalou.

Referee Mike Dean gets this encounter underway.

Didier Drogba is back in for Chelsea leading the line as Anelka is dropped from the squad completely. Lampard plays in midfield after his four goals in midweek with Ballack and Mikel.

For Sunderland, there is no place for Kieran Richardson in the 16 as he is replace by Roy O'Donovan who is likely to partner Kenwyne Jones up top.

Chelsea: Cudicini, Ferreira, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Obi, Ballack, Lampard, Joe Cole, Kalou, Drogba

Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Evans, Nosworthy, Collins, Edwards, O'Donovan, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Reid, Jones

Welcome to the Stadium of Light - Today, Sunderland play host to a Chelsea side who have hit scintalating form of late but The Black Cats will be hoping to cause an upset here and avoid three consecutive defeats .