But Chelsea, a shambles from the start, did not survive for long and Pennant doubled Liverpool's lead in spectacular fashion.

BBC: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea

The double strike killed off the match as a competitive spectacle, although Jermaine Pennant flashed in a couple of long-range free-kicks to give Birmingham some hope.

BBC: Marlon Harewood celebrates his opening goal

Asamoah Gyan regained the lead for Sunderland after the break, but the visitors sat back and finally buckled under a barrage of long throws and set-pieces, as two Jermaine Pennant free-kicks set up Huth to score twice in the last seven minutes and seal a remarkable recovery.

BBC: Sunderland boss Bruce fumes at defence & officials