Sunderland vs. Chelsea: Score, Grades and Reaction from Premier League Game

Chelsea were denied the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table by a further three points due to a resolute Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats produced a heroic effort to deny Jose Mourinho's team, with captain Lee Cattermole inspiring his side to prevent the Londoners from scoring for the first time this season.

The Wearside club sat back in the early stages of the game to successfully frustrate the Stamford Bridge club, but with the arrival of Jozy Altidore as a second-half substitute, the Blues found themselves fortunate to leave with a point in the 0-0 draw.

Mourinho named an unchanged Chelsea team, while Gus Poyet replaced Jordi Gomez with Jack Rodwell for Sunderland.

Willian produced a great cross from the right side of the penalty area in the sixth minute, but Diego Costa was not expecting the delivery and Sunderland defender Santiago Vergini shepherded the ball out of play.

Sunderland appeared to be content to sit back and let Chelsea come on to them, instead opting to counterattack the Blues in the early stages.

And Oscar was forced into a 13th-minute strike from distance with the weight of numbers in front of him, but Costel Pantilimon was equal to the effort.

Sunderland failed to close down Willian in the 17th minute and almost paid the price, with Pantilimon tipping the Brazilian's shot on to the post from Eden Hazard's ball.

The home side were moving farther forward as the half progressed, and Rodwell went close with a long-range effort.

There was a scare for the Premier League leaders on the half-hour mark when Connor Wickham's cross entered the box, but an Adam Johnson handball held up the attack.

The game then came to a halt as Sunderland assistant head coach Mauricio Taricco was sent to the stands by the referee.

And moments later, Sunderland were unfortunate to see a Vergini header graze the Chelsea crossbar, while Costa was lucky not to receive a red card for what appeared to be a kick aimed at John O'Shea. 

Sunderland were once again on the back foot at the start of the second period, and Willian created space for himself in the 51st minute before sending a shot into the side netting.

But despite some excellent passing from the likes of Nemanja Matic, the Blues were struggling to create chances on a regular basis.

In the 55th minute, Costa found himself in referee Kevin Friend's notebook after the striker caught Wes Brown with a trailing arm as he challenged for the ball.

Poyet made two changes in the 63rd minute with Gomez replacing Rodwell, while United States international Jozy Altidore came on for Steven Fletcher.

Matic had been enjoying a tremendous game for Chelsea, and the midfielder produced a fierce drive in the 67th minute which Pantilimon admirably denied.

But Sunderland still offered a threat up front, and Thibaut Courtois did well to stop Wickham's 72nd-minute strike from reaching its intended destination.

O'Shea took one for the team in the 76th minute when he brought down Costa to earn a yellow card, before Mourinho brought the striker off to be replaced by Loic Remy, while Didier Drogba came on for Oscar.

Altidore almost set up Wickham for an opening goal, but the USMNT star then caused further panic in the Chelsea area as John Terry and Gary Cahill scrambled to deny the striker.

Again, Altidore proved problematic when his shot was hurriedly cleared by the Blues back line, but Johnson could not convert the rebound.

Amid the trouble Altidore was causing, Mourinho swapped Willian for Andre Schurrle, and Matic was cautioned for hauling down Wickham.

Seb Larsson played in Johnson from a free-kick, but the former Manchester City winger's effort spun just wide of Courtois' post.

But Chelsea, who had dominated the first period, were eventually left clinging on to take a point back to West London.

Selected Player Ratings

Diego Costa: A-

The Brazilian was kept quiet by a dogged Sunderland defence in the first half, with his frustration boiling over at times. Mourinho was wise to take him out in the second half.

Lee Cattermole: A+

His tremendous work rate was on full display as the Sunderland captain led by example with a resolute performance against the league leaders.

Willian: A

The Brazilian offered the greatest threat for Chelsea in the opening 45 minutes and is developing into a genuine talent for Mourinho.

What's ahead

Sunderland have another Premier League title challenger in their sights, as they are at home to Manchester City on Wednesday.

Chelsea and Jose Mourinho have a London derby to look forward to on the same night, with Tottenham Hotspur the visitors to Stamford Bridge.

The White Hart Lane club will offer another intriguing test for Mourinho's team, although the Blues remain on course for an unbeaten Premier League campaign.

Post-Match Reaction