GUS POYET has paid tribute to Lee Cattermole after the midfielder produced another magnificent defensive display in yesterday's 0-0 draw with Chelsea.

Cattermole was at his tigerish best as Sunderland became the first team to prevent Chelsea from scoring in any competition this season.

The Stockton-born midfielder outshone both Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas in the opposition ranks, with his tireless running and countless important blocks playing a major role in Sunderland's successful shackling of their previously free-scoring opponents.

Poyet said: "What Lee did was an example of how you need to play in the middle of the park against a top team.

"When you need to go for a tackle, when you need to cover, when you need to follow someone, when you need to go deep, when you need to go higher,, when you make a foul, even that. Sometimes it's needed, and he was exceptional.

"I'm sure he is going to go home feeling that his role in the team is very important, and he is recognised today by defending and being a leader in terms of defending."

Yesterday's result means Sunderland have now avoided defeat in their last three matches against the runaway Premier League leaders, and Poyet was delighted to see his players' resolve and commitment rewarded with a point.

He said: "I'm pleased. To have the chance to get something from a team like Chelsea, first you need to defend and you need to defend properly and you need to make it very difficult and you need to be a team, organised, shape, throwing bodies in front of the ball, and have everything you need to do to play a football game against one of the best teams, and we did that.

“That's the beginning, that's the minimum. The other side, the chances – at the end, they were coming because there was space and we were enjoying it, the fans were loving it.

“You never know if it (the result) is fair or not, but we need to be pleased with the performance."

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho admitted his side were frustrated by Sunderland's defensive tactics, but refused to criticise the Black Cats' approach to the game.

Mourinho said: "We want to win every match, but we have to lose some points. Only one team tried to win the game but credit to Sunderland. They were very defensive, but defending a lot and well is not a crime, it is a quality - and they did it well.

"We are doing very well still and it is a point in a very difficult stadium."