Chelsea hammer Sunderland 7-2

Chelsea turned on the style to sweep aside Sunderland 7-2 at Stamford Bridge today, while Manchester United managed a flattering 3-0 home win over Burnley to stay on their tail. Chelsea top the standings on 48 points, one ahead of United, who have...

Chelsea turned on the style to sweep aside Sunderland 7-2 at Stamford Bridge today, while Manchester United managed a flattering 3-0 home win over Burnley to stay on their tail.

Chelsea top the standings on 48 points, one ahead of United, who have played a game more.

Arsenal, who visit Bolton Wanderers tomorrow, are third on 42 with Tottenham Hotspur fourth on 38 after a goalless home draw with Hull City. Manchester City, away to Everton later on Saturday, are fifth on 38.

Chelsea flew out of the blocks against an injury-ravaged Sunderland and led 4-0 at halftime with goals by Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard while Michael Ballack and a second each for Anelka and Lampard completed the rout.

Manchester United were far less fluent against a Burnley side who beat them at Turf Moor in August but got home with second-half goals by Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney and Mame Biram Diouf.

Liverpool's struggles continued as they drew 1-1 at Stoke City after Robert Huth struck for the hosts in the last minute.

The results

Chelsea 7 Sunderland 2
Manchester United 3 Burnley 0
Stoke City 1 Liverpool 1
Tottenham Hotspur 0 Hull City 0

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