Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League clash between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge. So, it's the final day of the season and what a campaign it's been. However, we've still another 90 minutes of action to come in West London today, so don't go anywhere. Team news will be through shortly.

CHELSEA: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Matic; Cuadrado, Willian, Hazard; Drogba

CHELSEA SUBS: Courtois, Filipe Luis, Christensen, Boga, Remy, D Costa, Solanke

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has made six changes to his side following Monday's 3-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion as Petr Cech, Cesar Azpilicueta, John Obi Mikel, Juan Cuadrado, Willian and Didier Drogba all come in. It's a significant day for Drogba, who announced earlier this afternoon that this would be his last game for the club. The Ivorian will captain the Blues. Meanwhile, could this be Petr Cech's last match in a Chelsea shirt? The veteran goalkeeper has been given the nod ahead of Thibaut Courtois. Cesc Fabregas is suspended following his red card against the Baggies.

SUNDERLAND: Mannone; Jones, van Aanholt, O'Shea, Coates; Larsson, Rodwell, Johnson, Fletcher, Wickham; Defoe

SUNDERLAND SUBS: Cattermole, Reveillere, Graham, Giaccherini, Vergini, Buckley, Pickford

Having secured their Premier League status for another season by drawing 0-0 at Arsenal in midweek, Sunderland make three changes to their starting XI this afternoon as Vito Mannone, Jack Rodwell and Steven Fletcher are all recalled. Young goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, Lee Cattermole and Emanuele Giaccherini are all among the subs.

There was plenty riding on this game a matter of days ago before Sunderland went and ruined everything by confirming their Premier League survival. In all seriousness, the Black Cats will be in great spirits for their trip to West London having pulled off another great escape, this time under manager Dick Advocaat. However, will the Dutchman remain at the Stadium of Light beyond the end of the season? He's been offered a permanent contract, though nothing has been signed yet...

As for Chelsea, their 3-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Monday night would have stung even if they are already champions. With their successful campaign finishing at Stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho and his players will be eager to end the season in fitting fashion with a win.

Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat: "We know that we're staying in the division so for both teams there is no pressure. Chelsea lost 3-0 last week and they love to win, so knowing their coach they will be desperate to beat us. With our work-rate we can give everyone a difficult time and we would like to do something on Sunday, so why not? I would like to give Mr Mourinho a difficult afternoon."

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: "We are already celebrating our title. They are already celebrating these last fantastic weeks they have had with good results. We are over - probably them too - with celebrations. Now there is a last match. Obviously we want to win. I also believe they want to win. That's normal.

"The most important thing I learned was last season, when I realised that after being away from England for a few years - five, three in Madrid, two at Inter - was to realise it's more dangerous to be a contender. It's more dangerous to be a title-contender manager because you start the season and you don't know what is waiting for you. You can be champions, you can qualify for the Champions League, you can even be out of Champions League, out of the top four, because at this moment in England there's five, six teams from the top who are really strong."

4 - Jose Mourinho has won only four of his last 10 Premier League games against Newcastle and Sunderland. Jossy. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 24, 2015

It's worth pointing out that Eden Hazard's inclusion in the Chelsea starting lineup has come as a bit of a surprise after Jose Mourinho claimed earlier this week that the Belgian would probably miss the game due to a dental problem.

HEAD TO HEAD: Chelsea have the better record when it comes to past meetings between these sides, winning 57 matches compared to 39 for Sunderland. Meanwhile, the two teams have played out a total of 22 draws since their first encounter.

Despite Chelsea's dominance in this fixture down the years, Sunderland picked up a significant victory last season as they saw off the Blues 2-1 to inflict a first Premier League home defeat on Jose Mourinho. There may be nothing riding on this game today, but you can bet your bottom dollar that the Portuguese will have revenge on his mind.

It's been fairly even in this fixture in recent times. Before this season's 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light, Chelsea had won three matches while Sunderland had won two. If ever the Blues had a bogey team in the past few seasons, Sunderland seem to be it.

If #CFC avoid defeat today, they will have lost four matches in all competitions, beating #MUFC's 1998-99 record (5) pic.twitter.com/IPWq9zjF12 — Sports Mole (@SportsMole) May 24, 2015

PREDICTION TIME! It's always hard to tell what's going to happen in a game like this where there is nothing at stake. However, it would be foolish to look beyond Chelsea this afternoon. Jose Mourinho has named a strong side, while there is plenty of talent on the bench to turn the match in their favour if he needs to.

It could of course be a perversely joyous day for Sunderland should local rivals Newcastle United drop down to the Championship. Anything other than a win for the Magpies would give fellow strugglers Hull City a chance of survival in their game against Manchester United. Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has just given a rare interview on Sky Sports, insisting that he will not be selling the club until they win a trophy or qualify for the Champions League...

We've had a little ceremony of sorts already at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea's 2004-05 title-winning team reuniting for the cameras.

The players are starting to emerge in the tunnel as we edge closer towards kickoff. Not long to go now. Not much in the way of anxious faces, as you might imagine.

Sunderland will give Chelsea a guard of honour onto the pitch.

KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be champions Chelsea to get us underway. Here we go!

It's been a very strong start from the hosts, who are doing all of the pressing early on. They win themselves on the left after O'Shea deals with a dangerous cross, but Terry can only head the resulting set piece over the crossbar.

CHANCE! Drogba almost finds the net on his final appearance for Chelsea, but he just can't divert Cuadrado's cross from the right into the net. Cuadrado did really well there, turning his marker inside out before trying to pick out his teammate.

There's a real party atmosphere inside Stamford Bridge and Chelsea are playing the type of football to suit it. Jose Mourinho's men are mounting wave after wave of attack, keeping Sunderland penned inside their own half. It's been a real champions performance so far.

Sunderland just can't get hold of the ball at the moment. The visitors are being forced back at every turn as Chelsea push for the afternoon's opening goal. Full-backs Jones and Van Aanholt are being kept particularly busy by wingers Willian and Cuadrado.

CHANCE! Sunderland come close to taking the lead against the run of play as Larsson tries his luck with a free kick from 25 yards following Ivanovic's foul on Van Aanholt. Larsson does well to get the ball up and over the wall, but his effort is pushed away by the alert Cech.

SAVE! Ivanovic almost puts the hosts ahead with a rasping drive, but he's denied by Mannone. The full-back, who wanted a penalty moments earlier after going down softly under a challenge from Larsson, smashes the ball towards goal from all of 30 yards, only to see it kept out by the Sunderland shotstopper.

Sunderland have shown a bit more fight in the last few minutes, though it's still Chelsea who are dominating possession and the match. The hosts are looking to use the full width of the pitch, stretching their opponents as much as possible.

Something of a half-chance for the visitors as Van Aanholt receives the ball out on the left before dragging a tame effort wide of the post. The full-back had time and space to run closer to goal then.

Chelsea are still playing with a high tempo, but they clear-cut chances have dried up a bit. Meanwhile, Sunderland are trying to take the sting out of the game whenever they get on the ball. The visitors test Cech for a second time as Defoe has a crack, though it's an easy one for the veteran shotstopper to keep out.

They've been second best since kickoff, but Sunderland somehow lead through Steven Fletcher! Johnson whips a superb corner in from the right that evades just about everyone inside the box before Fletcher arrives to nod in at the back post. The Chelsea defence seemed to switch off there.

CHELSEA SUB: The hosts make their first change of the afternoon as Didier Drogba exits the field for Diego Costa. Drogba, playing his last game for Chelsea, is taken off the pitch on the shoulders of his teammates while the home fans give him a huge send-off.

Sunderland are given a scare as Hazard gains possession on the edge of the box before swiveling his way past a couple of defenders. However, O'Shea is there to put his foot in and clear the danger. Jack Rodwell then goes into the book for chopping down Cuadrado.

While there is nothing to play for, this game has seen a few tasty challenges in the last few minutes. Both teams are showing no fear when it comes to adopting a physical approach. Meanwhile, Sunderland break through Wickham, only for the winger to hit a pass out of play when he really needed to show more composure.

Chelsea get themselves level from the penalty spot as Diego Costa keeps his cool to score his 20th Premier League goal of the season. Cuadrado was the man who won it for the hosts after being brought down by O'Shea inside the box. It was an easy decision for referee Lee Mason.

Chelsea after having to soak up a bit of Sunderland pressure following that goal, though they're doing a good job of it thanks to the likes of Matic and Mikel in midfield. The hosts threaten to hit their opponents on the counter-attack as Willian tries to pick out Hazard, but the Brazilian's pass has too much on it and goes out for a throw.

YELLOW CARD! Cuadrado is unlucky to go into the book there for a foul on Coates. There was no malice in the Colombian's challenge.

CHELSEA SUB: That yellow card will be Cuadrado's last involvement in the game as he's replaced by Loic Remy. The winger picked up a knock earlier in the match and is unable to continue, which is a shame because he's been lively this afternoon.

There will be at least THREE MINUTES of added time at the end of the half...

CHANCE! Defoe almost puts Sunderland in the lead again in first-half stoppage time as he makes a run into the Chelsea box before seeing his low drive pushed away by Cech.

The half-time whistle goes, bringing the curtain down on an entertaining opening 45 minutes at Stamford Bridge. Sunderland took the lead through Steven Fletcher before Diego Costa bagged an equaliser from the penalty spot. Chelsea have been the better team so far, but they've struggled to make their dominance count.

Sunderland have looked fairly dangerous on the counter-attack so far, but they've also had to defend for large spells of the match. Full-backs Jones and Van Aanholt have been kept particularly busy, while O'Shea and Coates have been kept on their toes throughout.

This is what happened when Didier Drogba was substituted earlier in the game...

PHOTO @didierdrogba is carried off the pitch by his team-mates on his final appearance for @ChelseaFC #CHESUN pic.twitter.com/BhU7QnI4Ud — Premier League (@premierleague) May 24, 2015

Premier League half-time scores:

Arsenal 4-0 West Brom
Aston Villa 0-1 Burnley
Crystal Palace 0-0 Swansea
Everton 0-1 Spurs
Hull 0-0 Man Utd
Leicester 2-0 QPR
Man City 1-0 Southampton
Newcastle 0-0 West Ham
Stoke 5-0 Liverpool

As you can see there have been a few goals across the grounds so far today, but it's at the Britannia Stadium where things have got crazy. Following a difficult week for the club, Liverpool find themselves 0-5 down to Stoke at the break. Meanwhile, Hull will be the final team to suffer relegation as things stand.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out for the second half and it will be Sunderland to kick us off. There have been no changes from either of the managers during the interval.

Both teams have shown signs of attacking intent during the early stages of the second half, but it's Sunderland who create the first opening as Johnson leads a counter-attack before blazing an effort over the bar from 25 yards.

CHANCE! That really should be 2-1 to Chelsea as Costa shields the ball in the box before teeing up Remy. The striker takes a wild swing with his left foot, but his shot goes the wrong side of the post. That seemed a bit rushed from the Frenchman.

The possession has been fairly even so far in the second half, with Sunderland doing their bit to make this an entertaining clash. However, Chelsea threaten again as Hazard dribbles through the Sunderland defence before flicking the ball through to Remy. The striker's first touch is a poor one, though, and the ball runs through to Mannone.

Chelsea are starting to force the issue a bit more now as they look to take the lead for the first time. Costa is seeing plenty of the ball in the final third, with his physical approach causing Sunderland lots of problems.

OFF THE LINE! Sunderland come so close to regaining the advantage as a quick passing move ends with Van Aanholt's drive being cleared off the line by Azpilicueta. It's all getting very open again.

CHANCE! Now it's Chelsea who come close. Costa and Hazard combine on the left before the latter picks out Cahill inside the box. The defender hits a decent strike towards goal, but Mannone is alert to the danger and makes the save.

Chelsea win themselves a corner out on the right that's whipped into a dangerous area, but Sunderland just about do enough to clear the threat. Jose Mourinho's men are continuing to show plenty of desire in the final third. They certainly can't be accused of coasting today.

Sunderland earn a free kick about 30 yards out after Matic takes down Fletcher, but Larsson can only blaze high over the crossbar with the resulting set piece. Chelsea then break up the other end quickly, with Willian's low strike whistling past the post.

Chelsea take the lead as Loic Remy beats Mannone with a low drive from the edge of the box, but Hazard should take plenty of the credit. The Belgian makes something from nothing turning his marker before surging towards goal and setting up his teammate to fire into the bottom corner. Mannone may not want to see that again because he should have done a lot better.

CHANCE! Sunderland have a glorious opportunity to level things up instantly as Van Aanholt's cross is met by Fletcher, but the Scot can only head wide with the goal at his mercy.

SUNDERLAND SUB: The visitors make their first change of the afternoon as Emanuele Giaccherini replaces Johnson. Just over 15 minutes remaining at Stamford Bridge.

Hazard causes the Sunderland defence yet more problems as he makes a powerful run into the box. However, Coates is there to stop him with a last-ditch tackle. The centre-back had to time that perfectly because Hazard was in full flight. Chelsea win a corner, but it comes to nothing.

CHELSEA SUB: Another swap for the home side now, with youngster Andreas Christensen replacing John Obi Mikel.

SAVE! Mannone keeps Sunderland in the game with a fine save to deny Willian. Remy's cross from the right is met by the Brazilian at the back post, but his effort is pushed away by the shotstopper.

YELLOW CARD! Matic is cautioned by referee Lee Mason after fouling Giaccherini.

Defoe threatens to draw Sunderland level as he fires a shot towards goal, but Cech gets behind it. The game is fairly open right now, though Chelsea are just about on top. The hosts have had a few opportunities to put it to be, only for some disappointing finishing to give the Black Cats hope.

Half an opening again for Dick Advocaat's side as Wickham makes room for himself on the edge of the area before seeing his low drive well held by Cech.

And that should be that. Loic Remy finds the net again to make it 3-1 to Chelsea. Hazard feeds Matic down the left, who whips a low cross into the box. Remy does well to get in front of his marker and flick a clever finish past Mannone at the near post.

There will be TWO MINUTES of added time...

The full-time whistle goes to officially bring the curtain down on a title-winning campaign for Chelsea. They end the season with a victory, beating Sunderland 3-1 thanks to a Diego Costa penalty and two goals from Loic Remy. Sunderland played their part in an entertaining afternoon at Stamford Bridge, but they weren't able to contain the champions.

That's all from our live text coverage of today's game, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from both camps here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!