Sunderland 0-1 Chelsea

Scorers: Terry(9')

Starting Eleven:
Cudicini
Ferreira, Alex, Terry, A.Cole
Ballack, Mikel, Lampard
J.Cole, Drogba, Kalou

John Terry scored after 65 games and the Blues got all the 3 points after managing to hold on to the lead given to them by their captain. The Wearsiders played well, especially in the second half. They gave a spirited performance, unlike Derby in midweek and were able to trouble Cudicini a few times. With Arsenal dropping points again, and United struggling to score one against Derby, things are looking brighter for us.

Chelsea made three changes from the midweek game, one each in defense, midfield and attack. Mikel came in for Makalele. Essien was on bench, maybe because Grant felt he was not a good choice in the 'Makalele' role. He is more comfortable going forward. Drogba replaced Anelka, who was not even in the first 16 for the match. Carvalho was rested and Alex took his role alongside Terry, maybe to counter the areal threat posed by Jones and co.

The goal came in the 9th minute from a Lampard corner, the fourth corner that Chelsea won. Terry left marker Jones behind and scored from near post to celebrate his first goal this season. Chelsea were always dangerous in set pieces with Terry, Alex and Ballack but this one was due to poor defending as well. In the 16th minute, Ashley Cole crossed but a diving Joe failed to connect minutes later, but it was a great move.

Just after the midway mark in first half, Andy Reid took a freekick from the edge of the area but Cudicini denied him a goal. A brilliant save it was, and that would certainly help us forget his mistake which led to the Barnsley goal. Later Cudicini got a boot on face after O'Donovan lost the race to reach a through ball, the goalkeeper won the ball and O'Donovan hung back his right leg. That was really bad football from O'Donovan. Cudicini was visibly angry and made his feelings known to the attacker, though the crowd later booed the goalkeeper throughout.

Sunderland continued pressing for the equalizer in the second half but didn't have enough quality to score a goal. Drogba had a chance later but failed to find Lampard who was unmarked in the far post. Later Essien came on for Ballack and Sunderland brought in Dwight Yorke for O'Donovan. Yorke gave 2 brilliant air balls for Kelvyn Jones but the big forward couldn't find a good header both times. Chelsea held on to their advantage and got their third successive win in the league.