Bent had a snap-shot easily saved by Petr Cech, while Daryl Murphy was bravely denied by the keeper from eight yards out after good work by Kenwyne Jones.

BBC: Chelsea 7-2 Sunderland

But with the deal now dead in the water he will have to look elsewhere as he seeks to cover Bent and Danny Welbeck who is out for eight weeks after exploratory knee surgery, with Fraizer Campbell also a long-term absentee.

BBC: Sunderland deny Stoke's claims over Ricardo Fuller bid