Sunderland 1-2 Chelsea: John Terry and Daniel Sturridge on target as Fernando Torres is benched

After an early scare from Nicklas Bendtner, Chelsea responded to the threat and took the lead in the 18th minute through Terry. The Blues captain volleyed home from a tight angle after Sunderland had failed to clear their lines from a Blues free kick which saw Juan Mata hit the post.

The goal gave Chelsea a shot in the arm, as Nicolas Anelka and Ramires had efforts go over, while Simon Mignolet had to be alert minutes later to deny Anelka and keep his team in the game. The Belgian international wasn't the only Sunderland player making blocks, as Wes Brown was also on point to deny Sturridge and Anelka a path through the back.

However, Chelsea came out for the second half and resumed their stranglehold on the game and promptly got a deserved second goal. Sturridge raced clear of the Sunderland defense and cheekily backheeled the ball past Mignolet into the net despite the best efforts of Brown to keep it out.

The Blues continued to play well following the goal and moved the ball around nicely, though the finishing, especially from Florent Malouda was not quite up to scratch.

Sunderland was not ready to give up, though, and Bendtner nearly pulled one back, save for an excellent goalline clearance from Branislav Ivanovic. Even the introduction of highly-rated teenager Connor Wickham didn't spark the Sunderland offense, though he went close from a header.

The Blues now make it three wins in a row as they continue their good start to the campaign while Steve Bruce is now under pressure with his side yet to register a win this season.