Leaders Chelsea seal 10th Premier League win in a row
Sunderland 0 Chelsea 1
Cesc Fabregas’ classy finish was enough for Chelsea to clinch their 10th consecutive Premier League victory and move six points clear at the top.
The Spain midfielder placed a shot past Sunderland keeper Jordan Pickford five minutes before half-time, piercing the home side’s dogged determination.
But Chelsea were also indebted to Thibaut Courtois for the three points, as he made a brilliant one-handed save to deny former Blues defender Patrick Van Aanholt deep into added-on time.
Sunderland had matched up the Blues’ 3-4-3 formation, fielding seven defensive-minded players in an effort to frustrate – and for large spells of the first half it worked, Chelsea unable to muster clear-cut chances despite dominating possession.
But Fabregas, brought in to the side for Nemanja Matic, made the crucial breakthrough, sliding the ball home after being set up by Willian.
Sunderland threatened on the break early in the second period, Jermaine Defoe feeding Adnan Januzaj and he produced a good stop from Courtois.
Chelsea had further chances to extend their lead, though, with Willian’s shot hitting the crossbar, via a touch off former team-mate Papy Djilobodji, and Diego Costa being denied by Pickford after a surging run.
Victor Moses also went close, while Willian shot straight at Pickford and Fabregas sliced wide after being found in the box by Costa.
Bottom side Sunderland could still have ended Chelsea’s winning streak, with Sebastian Larsson’s free kick causing havoc before Van Aanholt fired at goal, only for Courtois to keep it out.
Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill; Moses (Ivanovic 90), Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian (Chalobah 89), Costa, Pedro (Matic 76).
Subs not used: Begovic, Zouma, Loftus-Cheek, Batshuayi.
