Chelsea 7 Sunderland 2

Nicolas Anelka rounds Marton Fulop to put Chelsea in front against Sunderlan.

Chelsea maintained their slender lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League by hitting sorry Sunderland for seven at Stamford Bridge.

Carlo Ancelotti's side proved they can prosper without their quartet of African stars as goals from Nicolas Anelka (two), Florent Malouda, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard (two) and Michael Ballack set the seal on a fine afternoon for the Blues.

It kept them one point ahead of Manchester United at the summit of the Barclays Premier League with a match in hand on their rivals.

Sunderland managed two consolation goals through substitute Bolo Zenden and Darren Bent but Steve Bruce's side have now failed to win in their last eight league matches.

Chelsea dominated from the start and Joe Cole could have put them in front in the first minute.

But the England international failed to beat goalkeeper Marton Fulop after Malouda's header had put him clear of the Sunderland defence.

Ashley Cole then headed wide from point-blank range in the fourth minute when Joe Cole's cross found him at the far post.

But the returning Anelka put Ancelotti's side ahead in the seventh minute.

The France striker pounced on a clever through-ball from Ballack, rounded Fulop and placed the ball into the net.

Sunderland's first real attempt on goal arrived in the 13th minute but Bent's shot from the edge of the penalty area was easily saved by Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal.