The Blues bagged a 10th straight Premier League win at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night, with a first half goal from Cesc Fabregas enough to hand Chelsea all 3 points and keep them on the top of the log.
With Hazard unavailable for selection due to a knock he suffered against West Brom, Willian was deployed alongside Pedro and Costa up front. Neither of the 3 could break down a strong Sunderland defence, but the Brazil international had a hand in Fabregas’ goal with an assist.
Sunderland threatened a comeback, with Januzaj testing Chelsea’s goal after combining with Defoe on a counter. It also took a classic Courtois save to keep a late effort from the hosts in check, and Chelsea eventually managed to emerge with all 3 points though they had to struggle for it.
A look is taken at how Antonio Conte’s men fared against David Moyes’.
Courtois
Made key saves to deny the hosts – including a late goal-bound effort from van Aanholt, keeping his 9th clean sheet of the season in the process.
Rating: 10/10
Azpilicueta
Produced his usual solid performance at the back and also helped contribute to the attack.
Rating: 9/10
Cahill
Januzaj was a late thorn in the flesh of the stand-in skipper, but he still managed to hold his own against the United youngster and limiting his influence upfront.
Rating: 8/10
Luiz
Had little to do but came out tops in his tussles against Defoe.
Almost caused a goal with a stray pass that made the hosts catch the defence on the counter.
Rating: 8/10
Moses
Was brilliant as expected but couldn’t quite apply the necessary finishes in the final third to make something out of his attempted shots.
Got withdrawn late in the game.
Rating: 8/10
Kante
Neutralised most of the few attacking runs the Black Cats managed to initiate, giving Denayer no time to think in the middle of the park.
Rating: 9/10
Fabregas
Made his 3rd start of the season and was impressive alongside Kante in the middle, laying some key passes for the forwards and notching the perfect strike that proved to be the winner on the night.
Rating: 10/10
Alonso
A much-improved performance from the wing-back as he constantly weighed in crosses into the opponents’ box and provided solid defence at the back.
Rating: 8/10
Willian
Made his trademark runs to trouble Sunderland’s defence and played a big role in the goal.
His performance made Hazard’s absence almost insignificant to the Blues’ attack.
Rating: 9/10
Costa
Kone and Djilobodji combined to quell the Spaniard’s threat, with their physicalities proving too much for him to handle.
Couldn’t manage to test Pickford all game, making it the first time he has failed to make any impact in front of goal.
Rating: 7/10
Pedro
Tried as he might, he just couldn’t make much of his tireless performance and runs, with the strengths of Sunderland’s defence overwhelming.
Was substituted afterwards.
Rating: 7/10
SUBSTITUTES
Matic
Came on to help provide defensive stability to the midfield as the hosts pushed for an equaliser.
Rating: 8/10
Ivanovic
Late sub.
Rating: N/A
Chalobah
Late sub.
Rating: N/A