These are not normal times, this is a proper team - so enjoy the ride...

There are around ten minutes left to play and Sunderland are starting to get a little giddy.

- by Phil Smith

Granit Xhaka and Luts sharel Geertruida celebrate Chemsdine Talbi's winner at Chelsea.

Much of this half has been spent resolutely defending the box but now it feels like there might just be something in the air.

Usually Sunderland's general directing play from deep, Granit Xhaka has not long before been for a little adventure up front and after a gorgeous ball from Enzo Le Fée, he's almost gone and scored. He jogs back with a wry smile.

Wouldn't that have been something?

Sunderland are getting braver. They press, and 3000 roar them on. So they tackle, and then press again, and then tackle again, and press and tackle again.

The ball ends up going out for a throw-in near Chelsea's corner flag and a little pocket of Stamford Bridge explodes like a 25-yard rocket has just flown into the top corner.

Few believed Sunderland would start the season like this; no one in their wildest dreams would have believed that it could be this much fun.

An hour or so after the game, Reinildo Mandava is asked deadpan at what point Sunderland can start to dream of winning the title.

He smiles and issues a gentle rebuke: "No, no. Don't talk this. Game by game."

These are not normal times.

It all feels a little surreal and particularly because the opening exchanges suggested that this could yet be the day when reality bit at least a little, when for the first time Sunderland might look a team understandably inferior to their opposition.