Andriy Shevchenko's fourth of the season and Frank Lampard's eighth proved there are goals without Didier Drogba.

The Blues scored once in each half, the second a penalty to keep in touch at the top with the big match at Arsenal just eight days away.

With Drogba having undergone a knee operation earlier today, Shevchenko was handed the big task of taking over the spearhead duties. Support in a 4-3-3 shape was to come from Joe Cole and Kalou.

Wright-Phillips was asked to play in midfield, as he had done successfully during the second-half of last season. Ashley Cole came in as the left-back rotation continued.

Wright-Phillips flashed a shot wide before a minute had gone after Darren Ward, in for 'rested' big money signing Craig Gordon, had punched a cross out unconvincingly.

Chelsea then forced three corners in the space of two minutes, the third, taken from the right by Joe Cole thundered onto the crossbar by the head of Kalou.

If the woodwork had cost Chelsea on that occasion, on nine minutes it was a decision by referee Peter Walton that held back the advance.

A well-judged 50-yard pass by Belletti was taken down by Wright-Phillips but as he accelerated into the area, he appeared to be shoved to the turf by Collins. The ref merely pointed for a goal-kick.

The Blues were not to be denied for too much longer. The opener was scored exactly midway through the half - by a flying header from Shevchenko at the far post after he was picked out by Kalou. Belletti had opened the play with a diagonal ball to the Ivorian who skipped away from Halford to cross accurately.

A speculative effort by Belletti was pouched by Ward four minutes later as the Blues continued to dominate.

On 32 minutes, Kenwyne Jones let loose a shot for the visitors, their first on target - competently dealt with by Cudicini.

As half-time approached, there were two half-chances for Shevchenko, the first the result of tenacity from Kalou, but a difficult header bounced wide. Then after some wayward keeping by Ward, the Ukrainian hooked speculatively over his shoulder from edge of the area, but it was off-target.

Collins became the game's first booking on 39 minutes for a foul on Belletti.

Seven corners to one at the break was a good representation of a home side well on top. Now on order were the goals to put the result beyond doubt.

Joe Cole on the right made the first incision of the second-half but his low ball back evaded a clutch of blue shirts in the box.

The heavy rain, that had been falling all day and had intensified during the break, was now starting to stay a little on the otherwise immaculate surface.

On 66 minutes both managers decided to make changes. In Chelsea's case, that meant Kalou off with Pizarro coming on to play in midfield. The team shape became 4-2-3-1.

Sunderland brought on Murphy instead of Jones, and shortly after switched Stokes for Leadbitter. The names changed, but the one up front with one just behind didn't. While there was still one goal in it, the visitors gave their initial game plan a chance.

Chelsea had yet to worry Ward with a shot in the second-half but on 73 minutes, a free-kick by Lampard was chased by a crowd in the box and after Alex tumbled, the referee pointed to the spot. A shirt-pull by Higginbotham had been seen.

Lampard's spot-kick was dispatched without fuss. As the keeper went the way of the penalty against Croatia at Wembley last month, Frank smashed it in the other side for his first goal in four games. The contest was over.

Sidwell came on for Joe Cole in the 85th minute, just two minutes before Sunderland were reduced to ten men. A foul had been given Chelsea's way and in the aftermath, there were face-to-face words between Pizarro and Liam Miller, the Sunderland midfielder losing all common sense by pushing the Peruvian in the face with the referee inches away.

In stoppage time Pizarro deflected a Lampard shot onto the bottom of the post with Ward clambering to meet it. Chelsea now had two strikes of the woodwork to match the two goals.

The final whistle soon sounded on a 15th game in a row unbeaten and three solid points in the bag.

Chelsea (4-4-3): Cudicini; Belletti, Alex, Terry (c), A Cole; Wright-Phillips, Mikel, Lampard; Kalou (Pizarro 66), Shevchenko, J Cole (Sidwell 85)
Scorers Shevchenko 22, Lampard 74.

Sunderland (4-4-1-1): Ward; Halford, McShane, Higginbotham, Collins; Miller, Etuhu, Whitehead (c), Wallace; Leadbitter (Stokes 69); Jones (Murphy 66).
Sent-off Miller 87
Booked Collins 39

The full 90 minutes can seen on Chelsea TV from 6pm on Sunday. Highlights will be available on Chelsea Plus from midnight on Sunday.