Sunderland will play host to Chelsea at the Stadium of Light this evening, with the winner advancing through to the semi-finals of this season's League Cup.
The two sides have already met in the Premier League this term as Chelsea ran out 4-3 victors on Wearside.
Would that match make Sports Mole's top five previous meetings between the two teams, though? Find out below.
1. Sunderland 2-1 Chelsea, March 1992
When Sunderland supporters reflect on their favourite memories of Roker Park, this match will be at the top of many lists. At the time the Black Cats were fighting against relegation from Division Two, yet they still managed to force an FA Cup quarter-final replay courtesy of a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. A huge roar greeted the two teams as the replay got underway in Sunderland, which seemed to spur the hosts on. Peter Davenport put them 1-0 up, but Chelsea applied large amounts of pressure and were rewarded six minutes from time when Dennis Wise equalised. Extra time and a victory for the West Londoners looked inevitable, but as the match drew to a close, Gordon Armstrong rose highest inside the area to head the ball beyond the reach of Dave Beasant. Ironically, the Blues on the night were managed by Ian Porterfield, who scored when Sunderland won the FA Cup at the expense of Leeds United in 1973.
2. Chelsea 6-2 Sunderland, March 1997
Goals before the break from Gianfranco Zola and Frank Sinclair put Chelsea in the ascendancy, before a strike courtesy of Dan Petrescu seemingly put the match beyond Sunderland's reach. However, despite the fact that the Black Cats were struggling to retain their Premier League status, they rallied and reduced the arrears with quickfire goals from Paul Stewart and Alex Rae in the 58th and 60th minute respectively. Both sides then created chances, but it was the hosts who made the most of them as Mark Hughes netted a brace and Italian midfielder Roberto Di Matteo rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.
3. Chelsea 4-0 Sunderland, August 1999
Under the guidance of Peter Reid, Sunderland returned to the top flight in 1999 full of optimism. After all, they had romped to the Division One title, having amassed 105 points. They were brought back down to earth with a bump on the opening day of the season, though, thanks largely to their now manager Gus Poyet. The Uruguayan scored twice, including a memorable acrobatic volley. Also on the scoresheet was Zola and Norwegian centre-forward Tore Andre Flo. However, it would not take Sunderland long to gain revenge.
4. Sunderland 4-1 Chelsea, December 1999
With the thrashing at Stamford Bridge still fresh in their minds, Reid's men went for the jugular during the return fixture. Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn had become one of the Premier League's most potent strike partnerships and they lived up to that billing here. They scored two goals apiece, with Phillips's dipping effort from distance the highlight. Poyet scored nine minutes from time for Chelsea, but it proved to be little more than a mere consolation.
5. Chelsea 0-3 Sunderland, November 2010
Not only were Chelsea the defending champions, but they had also not lost a home fixture all season. So, when Sunderland made the trip to the capital, only one result looked likely. The visitors had not read the script, though, and took the lead in the 45th minute when loanee defender Nedum Onuoha tricked his way through the home rearguard to open the scoring. Asamoah Gyan doubled their advantage seven minutes after the restart, before another loan signing - Danny Welbeck - capitalised on a poor pass from Ashley Cole to score a third goal in the 87th minute. It was a result that sparked a run of form that saw Chelsea win just one of their next nine matches.
Liam Apicella
