We could easily have had a spot-kick of our own before Enzo Le Fee netted the only goal, with a foul on Cole Palmer adjudged to have taken place just outside the box.

The margins were fine in a scrappy contest, and another decision went the home side’s way after Brian Brobbey and Levi Colwill came together in the box. Le Fee converted.

Having led at half-time for the first time this season, Sunderland defended their advantage doggedly. We struggled to fashion clear chances, with the best headed over by sub Danny Welbeck in stoppage time.

Team news

Xabi Alonso made a pair of changes to the team that started against Manchester United last weekend. Pep Chavarria came in for Josh Acheampong, who missed out entirely with what Alonso said was a ‘minor issue’.

Further forward, Jordan Henderson returned at the club where he came through, with Estevao Willian making way. Henderson played as the most advanced of a midfield trio also containing Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.

Mike Penders continued in goal, with Emiliano Martinez deemed not quite ready to start after his jaw surgery. There was also a place on the bench for Aaron Anselmino for the first time this season.

After an immaculately observed period of silence to mark Remembrance Sunday, play got underway with Chelsea defending the goal high behind which the 3,000-strong travelling support were housed.

Our hosts were dealt an early blow when Granit Xhaka had to be withdrawn inside four minutes. A scrappy start was punctured by a good chance for Brobbey, who volleyed Chemsdine Talbi’s teasing cross wide from close range.

Big decisions

Midway through the half, Palmer was chopped down by Luke O’Nien as he advanced into the box. The referee didn’t give a foul, but replays showed it clearly was one. The only question was whether it took place inside the box. It was a very tight call, and one that unfortunately didn’t go in our favour.

We very nearly let out our frustrations at that decision by immediately taking the lead. An inviting cross by Palestra from the right flank was met by the rising Rogers, who couldn’t steer his header on target.

Brobbey was proving a nuisance. He led a breakaway from Colwill inside his own half but Fofana did well to take him wide. When the shot arrived, it flew over the bar.

However, there was no such reprieve on 35 minutes. Brobbey spun Colwill and having got the wrong side of our defender, went to ground. There wasn’t a lot in it, with both players having a hold of the other’s shirt, but the referee’s on-call decision of penalty stood. Le Fee sent Penders the wrong way from 12 yards.

Alterations in personnel

It stayed 1-0 until half-time and Alonso responded by bringing on Estevao for Colwill. Caicedo dropped back into central defence, and we now had another attacker on the pitch.

With the Blues still finding time and space in the final third at a premium, Alonso made two more changes on the hour. Welbeck and Malo Gusto replaced Neto and Palestra, with the Frenchman making his 100th Premier League appearance.

There were a couple of nearly moments for first Estevao and then Palmer as a pair of penetrative passes from Rogers prized the Sunderland backline open.

With 15 to play, it needed a brave and big save from Penders to deny Wilson Isidor – not long on for Brobbey – after a loose ball fell to him six yards out.

Geovany Quenda nearly scored with his first involvement, a left-footed strike that took a deflection and had Robin Roefs scrambling across his goal.

There was plenty of late possession and territory for the Blues, and the chance to equalise came from the head of Welbeck in stoppage time. Unfortunately, his effort flew over the bar, and with it went our hopes of returning to London with something to show for our efforts.

What it means…

We go into the final international break of the season in fifth place in the Premier League table.

What’s next?

The Blues host Leeds United on Saturday 21 November following the pause for international football.

Chelsea (4-3-3): Penders; Palestra (Gusto 62), Fofana, Colwill (Estevao h/t), Chavarria (Quenda 79); Lavia, Caicedo (c), Henderson (Emegha 87); Palmer, Neto (Welbeck 62), Rogers
Unused subs: Sharman-Lowe, Anselmino, Barco, Nicoll-Jazuli
Booked Colwill 35, Neto 55, Caicedo 76

Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Meunier, Mukiele, O'Nein, Reinildo; Sadiki, Xhaka (c) (Ahoka 4); Hume, Le Fee (Rigg 88), Talbi (Angulo 88); Brobbey (Isidor 67)
Unused subs: Ellborg, Danso, Methalie, Fofana, Tutierov.
Scorer Le Fee 36
Booked Ahoka 21, Meunier 50, Brobbey 53, O’Nien 90, Angulo 90+4

Referee Jarred Gillett