Cancer sufferer given dream night by Sunderland and Chelsea

Just days after receiving 11,000 Christmas cards, five-year-old Bradley Lowery has scored for his beloved Sunderland and led the team out for their match against Chelsea.

Bradley suffers from neuroblastoma, having been diagnosed for the first time in 2013.

His family revealed last week that his cancer, which returned in June, had grown in recent months.

Bradley is about to undergo a round of treatment and will be unable to socialise due to his vulnerable immune system, so Sunderland and Chelsea joined forces to give him an entertaining night.

Having told his parents that he wished to score a goal for Sunderland, Chelsea obliged to let Bradley put one past goalkeeper Asmir Begovic in the warm-ups.

The home fans cheered as he knocked it to Begovic's right from six yards out.

Black Cats veteran Jermain Defoe then carried Bradley out for the start of the game, with the boy waving to the packed Stadium of Light.

The fans later offered Bradley a heartwarming standing ovation at the five-minute mark.

Premier League club Everton recently pledged £200,000 towards Bradley's treatment and a Toffees fan later set up a campaign calling for Christmas cards to be sent to Bradley.

More than 11,000 cards, some with monetary donations and others with presents, were delivered to his home this week.

The family said they had already opened almost 1500 cards, a spot of light reading before Bradley starts radiotherapy in the coming days.