Chelsea failed to score for the first
time this season as they were held to
a goalless draw by Sunderland on
Saturday.
Both sides hit the woodwork in the
first half as Willian struck the post
with a low shot and Santiago Vergini
saw an effort bounce off the bar.
Sunderland continued to frustrate the
Premier League leaders after the
break and held firm to record their
third draw in a row.
The stalemate sees Chelsea extend
their advantage at the top to seven
points while Sunderland move up to
13th.
The Black Cats were fully deserving of
their point too after an impressive
defensive display at the Stadium of
Light.
While they invited pressure by sitting
deep in their own box at times, they
always made life difficult for Chelsea
and presented them with very few
clear chances on goal.
The only time they were nearly caught
out in the first half was when Chelsea
broke swiftly from a free-kick and
Willian struck a low shot against the
post from just outside the box.
Wilian was involved in another decent
chance on the half-hour mark after
linking up with Branislav Ivanovic on
the right. The defender continued his
run into the box but saw his effort
deflected over the bar by Costel
Pantilimon.
That, though, was to be Chelsea’s best
opening of the half as Sunderland
continued to make it difficult for the
visitors and started to grow in belief
and confidence themselves.
Just moments after Ivanovic’s shot
was saved, the hosts spurned a great
chance to take the lead when Lee
Cattermole’s cross from the right was
deflected into the box and into the path
of Vergini, who hooked the ball over
Thibaut Courtouis but on to the bar.
The Black Cats continued to hold firm
in the second half and perhaps even
had the better chances to break the
deadlock as Chelsea attacks
repeatedly broke down on the edge of
the Sunderland box.
Connor Wickham nearly caught
Courtouis by surprise with a snap shot
before Adam Johnson dragged an
effort wide on his wrong foot when he
should have at least hit the target from
inside the area.
The visitors, who saw Diego Costa
pick up a booking that will keep him
out of the midweek match against
Tottenham Hotspur, were largely
restricted to long-range shots, but
none really tested Pantilimon.
Jose Mourinho threw on Loic Remy
and Didier Drogba in a bid to force a
late winner but Sunderland were still
able to snuff out all of Chelsea’s
attacks and hold on for a well
deserved draw.
time this season as they were held to
a goalless draw by Sunderland on
Saturday.
Both sides hit the woodwork in the
first half as Willian struck the post
with a low shot and Santiago Vergini
saw an effort bounce off the bar.
Sunderland continued to frustrate the
Premier League leaders after the
break and held firm to record their
third draw in a row.
The stalemate sees Chelsea extend
their advantage at the top to seven
points while Sunderland move up to
13th.
The Black Cats were fully deserving of
their point too after an impressive
defensive display at the Stadium of
Light.
While they invited pressure by sitting
deep in their own box at times, they
always made life difficult for Chelsea
and presented them with very few
clear chances on goal.
The only time they were nearly caught
out in the first half was when Chelsea
broke swiftly from a free-kick and
Willian struck a low shot against the
post from just outside the box.
Wilian was involved in another decent
chance on the half-hour mark after
linking up with Branislav Ivanovic on
the right. The defender continued his
run into the box but saw his effort
deflected over the bar by Costel
Pantilimon.
That, though, was to be Chelsea’s best
opening of the half as Sunderland
continued to make it difficult for the
visitors and started to grow in belief
and confidence themselves.
Just moments after Ivanovic’s shot
was saved, the hosts spurned a great
chance to take the lead when Lee
Cattermole’s cross from the right was
deflected into the box and into the path
of Vergini, who hooked the ball over
Thibaut Courtouis but on to the bar.
The Black Cats continued to hold firm
in the second half and perhaps even
had the better chances to break the
deadlock as Chelsea attacks
repeatedly broke down on the edge of
the Sunderland box.
Connor Wickham nearly caught
Courtouis by surprise with a snap shot
before Adam Johnson dragged an
effort wide on his wrong foot when he
should have at least hit the target from
inside the area.
The visitors, who saw Diego Costa
pick up a booking that will keep him
out of the midweek match against
Tottenham Hotspur, were largely
restricted to long-range shots, but
none really tested Pantilimon.
Jose Mourinho threw on Loic Remy
and Didier Drogba in a bid to force a
late winner but Sunderland were still
able to snuff out all of Chelsea’s
attacks and hold on for a well
deserved draw.
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