Terry header enough for Chelsea

The England defender powered home a 10th-minute header to give his side an early lead, but the visitors then wasted a series of opportunities to tie the game up as the Black Cats fought back.

Chelsea should have had the match wrapped up well before the end but were left hanging on as the relegation-haunted Black Cats mounted a sustained fightback.

Carlo Cudicini had to make fine saves from Andy Reid and Grant Leadbitter either side of half-time, but it was striker Kenwyne Jones who might have snatched a point with 15 minutes remaining, only to head straight at the goalkeeper.

The breakthrough arrived after 10 minutes when Terry, who had earlier survived penalty appeals for an untidy challenge on Roy O'Donovan, powered another Frank Lampard corner home.

Joe Cole was inches away from converting namesake Ashley's 18th-minute cross as Sunderland found themselves repeatedly stretched down their right.

At the other end Cudicini was fully extended to keep out Andy Reid's curling free-kick four minutes later.

In first-half injury time Craig Gordon made a good save from Lampard at his near post from Salomon Kalou's pass.

Minutes after the interval Kalou and Joe Cole both missed the target from promising positions before Sunderland fought back.

Cudicini saved Leadbitter's 53rd-minute shot and from the resulting corner defender Danny Collins headed wide. Jones headed substitute Dwight Yorke's chip straight at Cudicini, while another substitute Rade Prica headed just wide after 81 minutes.