sunderland vs chelsea live
Calum McFarlane will look to end this stint as Chelsea interim manager on a positive note today as he takes the side to Sunderland with targets set on a last-gasp European qualification. The Blues make the long trip up to Wearside sitting eighth, which should be good enough to qualify for the Conference League, but three points this afternoon and a convenient result between Brighton and Liverpool could see them step up into the Europa League places.
Sunderland have enjoyed a superb campaign - it can be easy to forget they were one of the three promoted sides this season - and could also secure themselves a trip to the continent with three points. They are only one point shy of the Blues ahead of kick-off but the Black Cats will require a win if they are to leapfrog them.
Chelsea will be desperate to end the campaign on a positive note, though, as they prepare to welcome new head coach Xabi Alonso to the club on July 1. Follow the match below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, with expert insight and analysis from Arthur Ferridge.
HALF-TIME: Sunderland 1-0 Chelsea
Fernandez’s free-kick is poor and easily cleared away, prompting the referee to call time on the first-half.
Sunderland 1-0 Chelsea
45+2mins: Neto is clipped on the right flank to give Chelsea a free-kick, which should be the final action of this opening stanza.
Sunderland 1-0 Chelsea
45mins: There will be two added minutes here.
Sunderland 1-0 Chelsea
44mins: Sunderland look to counter after a Chelsea free-kick but Brobbey doesn’t quite have the pace to drive the offensive. He waits for Trai Hume to catch him up, and he fires wide.
Sunderland 1-0 Chelsea
44mins: Drama in north London - Tottenham lead Everton 1-0! They are safe from relegation, as things stand.
Sunderland 1-0 Chelsea
43mins: Angulo goes into the book for a cynical foul on Pedro Neto.
Sunderland 1-0 Chelsea
41mins: Fernandez whips a speedy cross into the back post for Pedro Neto, but it is just out of the Portuguese’s reach.
Meanwhile in Brighton, the Argentine’s namesake Bruno Fernandes has assisted Patrick Dorgu’s opener to tally his 21st assist of the Premier League season - a new record.
Sunderland 1-0 Chelsea
39mins: Another penalty shout for Sunderland as Colwill seems to push Brobbey to the ground in the box, but the contact seems to have been within the regulations.
Sunderland 1-0 Chelsea
38mins: What a chance for Chelsea! A superb left-footed cross from Gusto lands sweetly at the back post but Joao Pedro heads wide. Poor from the Brazilian.
Sunderland 1-0 Chelsea
38mins: This is working out very nicely for Sunderland. United are leading Brighton, which means the Black Cats are up into the Europa League places!