Barclays Premier League

FULL TIME

A lively encounter at the Stadium of Light has seen a much improved Chelsea record their first League win under Interim coach Rafa Benitez. Two first half goals from Fernando Torres helped the away side build a lead, with a third from Mata early in the second half leaving Sunderland with a mountain to climb. Adam Johnson did pull a goal back, but a better second half from the hosts failed to prevent another defeat that leaves them in the relegation zone. Martin O'Neill knows he has work to do to turn around this bad run of form, and their game against Reading is already looking like a must win. Chelsea can go to Japan knowing that they have temporarily closed the gap on the top two, but will still be playing catch up when they return.

FINAL WHISTLE

Chelsea have hung on following a spirited fightback from Sunderland and secured their first win in the league under Rafa Benitez. It's finished Sunderand 1-3 Chelsea.

OFF THE WOODWORK

Craig Gardner attempts to grab another consolation with an audacious effort. Petr Cech is forced to parry the ball off the woodwork and the visitors clear.

SUNDERLAND CHANCE

Louis Saha and Connor Wickham link up on the edge of the penalty area and Wickham's shot flashes across the face of goal. Martin O'Neill is frustrated on the touchline, as he knows the chance to grab anything from the game has gone.

ADDED TIME

Four added minutes and Chelsea are running down the clock in the final stages.

ANOTHER BOOKING

It's a fourth booking for Chelsea, as Juan Mata is pulled by the referee for a foul on Danny Rose.

LAMPARD CHANCE

The England international almost grabs a goal on his return, but the powerful shot is well saved by Mignolet. Ramires is shown a yellow card for a foul on Adam Johnson.

SUNDERLAND CHANGE

Louis Saha is on for Sebastian Larsson, as Martin O'Neill looks to grab a second goal.

SUBSTITUTION

Frank Lampard is on for his return from injury. Eden Hazard is the man to make way.

CHELSEA CHANCE

Torres has a chance to grab his third goal, but takes the ball wide and John O'Shea is able to intercept. Another Chelsea goal would end hopes of a Sunderland comeback, and Rafa Benitez will be frustrated they didn't take that opportunity.

NERVY

Ashley Cole fouls Connor Wickham and the hosts have a great chance to further reduce the deficit with a free kick. Adam Johnson's shot is saved by Petr Cech and clawed behind for a corner.

BOOKING

Branislav Ivanovic is booked for a foul on James McClean. The Sunderland fans were unhappy with the Chelsea defender, who appeared to have no control in the challenge.

EXCELLENT RESPONSE

Sunderland are now full of confidence and pressing forward for another goal. Sebastian Larsson's cross is blocked by Luiz for a corner, and the hosts can't make the most of the set piece with Cahill clearing upfield.

SUBSTITUTION

First change for Sunderland, as Jack Colback replaces Phillip Bardsley.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

A glimmer of hope for Sunderland, as they pull one back. ADAM JOHNSON tries a long ranged effort which swerves past Petr Cech and into the back of the net. It's Sunderland 1-3 Chelsea.

SUNDERLAND CHANCE

A rare chance for the hosts. Sebastian Larsson whips a corner into the path of Connor Wickham, but Petr Cech is on hand to parry the ball behind for another corner. This time the goalkeeper is more assertive and punches clear.

SUBSTITUTION

Ryan Bertrand replaces the impressive Victor Moses, as Rafa Benitez makes his first change of the afternoon.

CHELSEA CHANCE

There's no urgency in their play, but Chelsea are still managing to create chances. Oscar has space on the edge of the penalty area to shoot, but his driven effort drifts wide of goal.

QUIET

The home crowd have gone quiet and there is a sense of resignation in the stands. Martin O'Neill is urging his team forward, but there is little sign of his side penetrating the Chelsea defence.

CRUISE CONTROL

Chelsea are in complete control and almost grab a fourth. Victor Moses has space to shoot in the penalty area, but his shot is driven just wide of Mignolet and the Sunderland goal.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

Chelsea have scored again and it's JUAN MATA with the third goal. Fernando Torres should grab the goal, but his shot smashes back off the crossbar and Mata pokes it home. It's Sunderland 0-3 Chelsea and the home crowd feel their hopes of grabbing a point have subsided.

SECOND HALF

The hosts get the second half underway, as they look to find two goals to deny Chelsea three points.

HALF WAY HOME

A lively game between two sides desperate for three points has seen Fernando Torres leave his mark at the Stadium of Light. The striker rushed into the box to smash home a superb cross from Hazard, before the Spaniard showed composure to knock a penalty past Mignolet. Sunderland have shown glimpses of improvement from recent performances, but Craig Gardner has been very wasteful in good positions and the frustration is beginning to show with his team-mates. Martin O'Neill has work to do to lift his players, whilst Rafa Benitez will be satisfied.

HALF TIME

The penalty was the last incident of the first half and the crowd are taking out their frustration on the referee. They will have few complaints, as Larsson made contact with the Chelsea midfielder. It's half time and Sunderland have a mountain to climb. It's Sunderland 0-2 Chelsea.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

Chelsea have been given a penalty. Sebastian Larsson has brought down Ramires and it's an easy decision for Mark Halsey. FERNANDO TORRES steps up and blasts the ball past Mignolet. It's his first penalty in English football and it's coolly converted. It's Sunderland 0-2 Chelsea.

PRESSING

Sunderland have another chance to equalise. Craig Gardner has a habit of shooting from range, and he blasts a shot over the bar with both James McClean and Wickham in space. The midfielder then slides into Oscar and picks up a yellow card.

CHELSEA CHANCE

The visitors have a chance to grab a second. Juan Mata crosses the ball into the path of Ramires, who sees a driven shot hit off target. Both managers are urging their sides from the touchline, knowing how important this game is for either club.

SUNDERLAND CHANCE

The hosts continue to press for an equalising goal. Craig Gardner's shot is blocked and Danny Rose brings the ball forward, before blasting over the bar. Chelsea have looked rattled since the Romeu injury and need a calming influence in midfield.

GOOD SAVE

Connor Wickham plays the ball into the path of Stephane Sessegnon. The playmaker is through on goal, but Petr Cech is able to save the shot and knocks it behind for a corner.

ENCOURAGED

Martin O'Neill will be happy with the way his side have responded in the past ten minutes. Their passing has improved and Chelsea are beginning to look edgy. Phillip Bardsley brings the ball forward, but his shot is blocked by Cahill.

RESPONSE NEEDED

Sunderland are looking to respond with an equaliser. Their first corner is only half cleared by Oscar and Craig Gardner's shot is blocked into the path of Carlos Cuellar, but the Chelsea defence are able to clear and the danger is gone.

INJURY BLOW

Oriol Romeu is limping off with a knock and Rafa Benitez is being forced into an early change. Oscar is the man sent on to replace him in midfield. The Chelsea fans will be hoping it's not too serious, with Mikel missing through suspension.

SETTLING DOWN

Chelsea have taken control of the game and Sunderland have been rattled by the opening goal. Sebastian Larsson gives away a free kick, but David Luiz's shot fails to hit the target.

GOOOAAALLL!!!!

Chelsea take the lead and it's FERNANDO TORRES with a superb finish. Eden Hazard plays the ball across to the far post and it's Torres rushing in to smash the ball past Mignolet into the back of the net. It's Sunderland 0-1 Chelsea.

UNDER PRESSURE

The visitors continue to press forward looking for the opening goal. Fernando Torres is free in the penalty area, but scuffs a shot towards goal. Mignolet is quick to react and scrambles across to deny the Chelsea striker.

CHELSEA CHANCE

The visitors have started well and are looking to make an early breakthrough. Juan Mata plays the ball into the path of Fernando Torres, but his shot flashes wide of goal with Mignolet beaten.

LIVELY START

Early chances for both sides. Stephane Sessegnon plays the ball into the path of Adam Johnson, but the pass is overhit and goes out for a goal kick. Chelsea then counter and Simon Mignolet has to rush quickly off his line to deny Eden Hazard from running through on goal.

UNDERWAY

Mark Halsey blows his whistle and the game is underway at the Stadium of Light.

CHELSEA TEAM NEWS

Oriol Romeu replaces the suspended Mikel in the heart of midfield. Victor Moses joins Mata and Hazard alongside Fernando Torres up front, as they look to secure the first Premier League win under Rafa Benitez. The visitors are boosted by the return of Frank Lampard, who takes his place on the bench.

SUNDERLAND TEAM NEWS

A massive blow for the hosts, as Steven Fletcher is ruled out with injury. Connor Wickham makes his first start of the season, and he will be helped up front by James McClean.

ONES TO WATCH

Sebastian Larsson has come under fire for his recent performances. The midfielder was one of the outstanding players last year, but has yet to find similar form this season. He is one player whom O'Neill will be expecting more from in their efforts to control the midfield. Rafa Benitez will be without the suspended Mikel, meaning Oriol Romeu could be thrown into the holding role in midfield. The former Barcelona youth player will be hoping to cement his place in the team over the next few weeks, starting with this afternoon.

NEEDING A WIN

Only a win will do for Chelsea in order to keep their feint title hopes alive according to Rafa Benitez. His side know that they cannot afford to drop points with their upcoming trip to Japan next week. The visitors do have previous in this game, having lost just one of their 15 Premier League meetings with Sunderland. The Chelsea players have also called for unity from the supporters, but a poor result today will ensure that the criticism of Di Matteo's sacking will continue.

COURAGE NEEDED

Martin O'Neill will be hoping his side continue to show the improvement they showed in the second half last time out against Norwich. However he's requested his side show courage in the face of growing criticism from the fanbase for recent poor results and performances. The Sunderland manager has just celebrated a year in charge, but knows results this season are in a similar fashion to the results that saw Steve Bruce sacked last December.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Mark Halsey referees at the Stadium of Light for the first time this season. Chelsea will be hoping to break a run of games that they haven't won with Halsey in charge since February 2011. That encounter was also at the Stadium of Light, when the visitors ran out 4-2 winners. The hosts will be hoping to avoid a repeat of that scoreline today.

PREVIEW

A big game at the Stadium of Light, as Sunderland host Chelsea with both sides desperate for a victory. The hosts are only one point above the relegation zone and Martin O'Neill is beginning to draw pressure from the fanbase. Two wins in 14 games has been seen as a disappointment and the fans will be hoping the manager can turn things round or face a difficult Christmas period. Rafa Benitez will be encouraged by his team's performance in the Champions League midweek, but their elimination from the tournament was sealed elsewhere. The fans are still unhappy with the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo, and the new boss knows that only victories can win them round starting today.