Sunderland becomes first team this season to stop Chelsea from scoring

Sunderland became the first team this season to stop Chelsea from scoring as they held Jose Mourinho's men to a deserved 0-0 draw.

Gus Poyet's team frustrated and tested the Premier League leaders with a display of discipline and organisation, as they didn't allow Chelsea to find a way through their defence. The closest Mourinho's men came was through Willian's first-half drive, which struck the post.

Santiago Vergini clipped the bar for the home side, who missed chances late on to take the three points, The BBC reported.

Diego Costa, who could have been sent off in the first half for clashing with John O'Shea, was booked for catching Wes Brown in the face with his arm, making him suspended for Chelsea's next game, against Tottenham.

The result was a shock for those who expected Mourinho's men to continue their seemingly relentless surge towards the Premier League title.

Chelsea, whose 5-0 Champions League hammering of Schalke on Tuesday was described by their manager as perfection, have made the second best start in Premier League history, while Costa's total of 11 league goals is just one fewer than the entire Sunderland squad.

But Mourinho's men, now unbeaten in 20 matches across all competitions, have not found it easy against Sunderland in recent times.

It was a deserved result for the home side, who showed a great deal of patience and skill to first frustrate Chelsea and then, as the match wore on, to cause their illustrious opponents problems.

In the end, Sunderland might feel they deserved more than just a point, the report added.