The top flight table-toppers kept their unbeaten record intact
but were pushed all the way by Gus Poyet's dogged Black
Cats as the points were shared at the Stadium of Light
Sunderland again proved a scourge for Chelsea when holding
the Premier League leaders to a 0-0 draw at the Stadium of
Light on Saturday.
Jose Mourinho's men had scored in every league outing this
season, yet could not find a way through against the team
who handed them their last domestic defeat.
The pre-match expectation was for Chelsea, six points clear
of their nearest challengers at kick-off, to collect an 11th win
from 13 league outings this season.
Yet Sunderland, who triumphed 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in
April, more than held their own for long periods.
The best chances were split in the opening period, Willian and
Santiago Vergini each hitting the woodwork.
Sunderland had the better opportunities in the second half and
Chelsea - who seemed fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men
when Diego Costa was only booked for an apparent elbow on
Wes Brown - will have been relieved to leave with their
unbeaten record intact.
The early signs were ominous for the home side as Chelsea
knocked the ball around with the confidence of a side topping
the standings.
Yet Sunderland, driven by a raucous crowd and the tough-
tackling Lee Cattermole, began to find a foothold in the game,
epitomised by Connor Wickham curling an effort just over the
crossbar.
That was a rare journey forward for the inhibited hosts in the
opening exchanges, with Chelsea almost breaking the
deadlock when Willian's low drive struck the outside of the
post.
Mourinho's side looked threatening every time they went
forward and Sunderland were indebted to a fine sliding
challenge from John O'Shea that denied Costa an almost
certain goal.
The resolute defending of Gus Poyet's side was best summed
up by Cattermole, who threw his body in the way of several
goal-bound efforts.
Costel Pantilimon was also alert when his time came,
brilliantly saving with his right leg to deny Branislav Ivanovic
after the right-back had been freed by Willian's pass.
Sunderland fashioned a great opening of their own soon after,
though, as Cattermole's deflected cross ran into the path of
Vergini - who saw a volley scrape the crossbar.
The visitors came out with plenty of intent after the break,
Pantilimon keeping out a Gary Cahill header from Cesc
Fabregas' corner.
Willian was the next to threaten, striking narrowly wide from
20 yards as Chelsea began to turn the screw.
They could easily have been down to 10 men not long after,
only for Kevin Friend to show Costa just a yellow card
following his challenge on Brown.
Undeterred, Sunderland continued to grow in confidence and
made life uncomfortable for their opponents.
And they almost went ahead with 11 minutes remaining, lively
substitute Jozy Altidore wriggling his way into the area and
seeing a close-range effort blocked.
Adam Johnson spurned an even better opportunity soon after,
poking narrowly wide from 12 yards after Altidore had again
caused problems.
Chelsea continued to look vulnerable, Johnson threatening
again with a curling 20-yard effort that flew just wide, but
there was to be no breakthrough for either side.

well played. sandwiched team.