Sunderland boss Steve Bruce admitted the display put on by Chelsea on Tuesday night was the most impressive had seen by the club.

The Blues brushed aside the Black Cats 3-1 at the Stadium of Light, citing praise from Bruce.

"They have put on one hell of a show. That's as impressive as I've seen Chelsea play. Whatever we tried to do to match their system, we just couldn't get to grips with how we were going to stop them," he told Sky Sports.

"We were valiant and we tried hard and in the first half we made a fist of it. But the longer it goes the energy levels from the internationals a week ago catch up with you.

"We haven't got that energy to keep after them. But you have to sometimes admit that we were beaten by a very, very good team tonight. You have to hold your hands up and say well done to Chelsea.

"It was a difficult night for us and we have to admit that. It was a very, very good Chelsea performance.

"They are a class act and they showed it tonight."