Chelsea moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Stoke City at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
Eden Hazard opened the scoring from the penalty spot, but the sides would go into half time level courtesy of a spectacular 60-yard strike from Charlie Adam that caught Thibaut Courtois off his line.
Loic Remy got the winning goal for the second match in a row, however, as he swept home into an empty net after Hazard had unselfishly set him up.
Find out how all of the action unfolded courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.
Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's late kickoff as Chelsea host Stoke City at Stamford Bridge. Neither side have been at their best in recent weeks so will be eager to return to winning ways here, with Chelsea especially in need of the three points to tighten their grip on the title. Let's start with a look at the hosts...
Chelsea's lead at the top of the table was cut down to four points earlier today courtesy of Arsenal's victory over Liverpool at the Emirates, but the Blues have two games in hand over the Gunners including this one and would increase the gap to seven victory today. Manchester City, who are now down in third, don't play until Monday, so this is a real chance for Chelsea to steal a march and put pressure on their rivals.
It would take an unlikely collapse for Chelsea to squander their advantage at the top of the table with just nine matches left to play for the Blues, but Jose Mourinho will be aware that City have overcome a bigger deficit already this season. The sooner Chelsea can get over the line the better as far as they are concerned, but it does seem to be a questions of when rather than if they will add the Premier League trophy to the League Cup this season.
While the Blues have been impressive this season, and it can't be argued that they don't deserve their place at the top of the standings, they haven't actually been at their best for some time now. A 5-0 victory over Swansea City back in January is the last time that they have played really well in the match, but the results have continued to trickle in despite their indifferent performances in the last 13 matches.
It may be that Mourinho has put the handbrake on a little since the defeat to Bradford City in the FA Cup, and if Chelsea do grind out results on their way to winning the title then few of their fans will be complaining. They are unbeaten in 11 matches since the incredible Bradford loss, but they have only managed to win five of those games inside 90 minutes.
Chelsea haven't lost in the league since New Year's Day and have only been beaten three times in all competitions this season. There was disappointment in Europe as they crashed out of the Champions League at the hands of PSG in the last 16, but domestically they must be happy with their season. Mourinho may want an improvement in performances over the final months of the campaign, but the Blues have certainly fulfilled their Premier League potential up to this point.
Home form will be a bit of a concern for Mourinho, though, with Stamford Bridge not exactly being its usual fortress of late. The Blues have won just one of their last seven outings at home inside 90 minutes, drawing their last three. That is in stark contrast to 14 victories and a draw from their opening 15 home games this season, so Mourinho will want a return to his side's early-season form before the campaign ends.
They have only lost once at home all season, however, and are the only team in the top four tiers of English football with an unbeaten home record in the league. Indeed, they had a 100% record at Stamford Bridge in the league before the end of January, but all of their six dropped points have come in their last four home league games, with three draws in that time.
There is a glimmer of hope for Stoke, then, but they need to turn their own form around if they are to get anything from this game today. The Potters could be in danger of seeing their season peter out in the closing stages of the campaign, and Mark Hughes will need to work hard to ensure that isn't the case. A result today would certainly be a major boost in that regard.
In terms of goals for the rest of the season, Stoke are very much in a personal battle to show improvement. Relegation is not on their radar and European football may be beyond their grasp, so their biggest aim for the remainder of the campaign is to top their 50-point tally from last season. That was their highest ever total in the top flight as they finished in ninth place, and they are currently eight points better off this year than they were last term, so they are very much on course to break the club record again.
The Potters lost two games in a row before the international break, however, with their performances also going off the boil a little following three straight wins. They haven't lost three on the bounce yet in 2015 and have only done so once all season, so Mark Hughes will be eager to avoid falling to that fate this afternoon, although it will be a tough ask against such a strong Chelsea outfit.
Stoke have a tricky run-in too, so things may not get much better for them in the remainder of the campaign. They only have two teams currently below them in the table left to play, with West Ham, Southampton, Swansea, Tottenham and Liverpool all still to come this season. Eight points are all they need to equal last season's points tally, but they will have to work hard for them.
Stoke's away form has been a very mixed bag in recent weeks, with two wins, two defeats and a draw from their last five outings on the road. They have only lost one of their last four away games in the league, but that run changes to just one win in four when counting all competitions. Stamford Bridge is arguably the toughest place to visit in England, so Hughes will be hoping that his side have one of their good days here.
Mark Hughes's record against Chelsea is a pretty poor one, however, with the former Blues striker having never won at Stamford Bridge as a manager. His side have won half of their last 16 league games, however, and have also toppled the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham this season.
Defensive solidity has been the name of the game for much of the season, with no team outside the top six conceding fewer goals than Stoke. Their record defending set pieces is surprisingly poor for a team renowned for their physicality, however. Stoke have conceded a league-high 16 goals from set pieces this season which, with the likes of Ivanovic, Cahill and Terry coming up from the back, is sure to encourage Chelsea.
TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides and the headline is that Diego Costa missed out due to his hamstring injury, allowing Remy the chance to start. That is one of three changes from the win over Hull last time out, with Azpilicueta and Oscar also coming in for Filipe Luis and Ramires. Stoke, meanwhile, also make three changes as Wollscheid, Whelan and Walters come in. Full teams for both sides coming right up...
CHELSEA STARTING XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Remy
CHELSEA SUBS: Cech, Zouma, Filipe Luis, Ramires, Cuadrado, Drogba, Diego Costa
STOKE STARTING XI: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Wilson; Ireland, Whelan, Nzonzi, Adam; Walters, Diouf
STOKE SUBS: Butland, Bardsley, Pieters, Muniesa, Arnautovic, Sidwell, Crouch
What can we make of those two sides, then? Well, for Chelsea the biggest news is Costa's absence, with the striker always likely to be a doubt having pulled out of international duty for Spain due to his hamstring injury. Mourinho has opted not to risk him from the start this afternoon, instead placing his trust in Loic Remy, who came off the bench to score the winner against Hull City last time out. The hosts are sure to miss Costa, though, with the Brazilian-born attacker boasting 19 league goals already this season.
Mourinho said after the Hull match that he felt he owed Remy more game time, and the striker has been handed his chance today. In reality, it is unlikely that he will keep a fully-fit Costa out of the side even if he were to dazzle this afternoon, but he will still be keen to showcase his talent and prove that Chelsea can thrive without Costa.
Aside from that, it is a very familiar-looking Chelsea lineup for today's game. Willian, Oscar and Hazard are the preferred trio behind the attacker once again, while Fabregas and Matic sit a little deeper in midfield. Fabregas has 16 assists already this season, which is the highest tally in the Premier League since the Spaniard himself registered 18 in the 2007-08 campaign with Arsenal.
The defence is the same as usual, with Cahill seemingly now back above Zouma in the pecking order for Mourinho. There were question marks of Courtois following his collector's item of a mistake against Hull last time out, but the Belgian starts, while Cech is deemed fit enough for the bench despite suffering from a muscular injury.
As for Stoke, the surprise omission from Mark Hughes is Peter Crouch, who starts on the bench today. He has only scored seven league goals this season but those have own the Potters nine points. In contrast, Costa's 19 league goals this season have won Chelsea just eight points, so the big striker has been an important figure for the visitors this season.
Jonathan Walters and Diouf are the men charged with getting the goals, with the former recovering from a calf injury to feature today. Walters will most likely play in a deeper role and spend much of his time in midfield as Stoke look to crowd the middle of the park and prevent Chelsea from playing their usual game.
At the back, Wollscheid returns to the side having recovered from injury and he will partner Shawcross at the heart of the defence. Marc Muniesa has missed the last few games with a hamstring injury but is fit enough to make the bench, while Begovic continues in goal despite reserve keeper Jack Butland recently signing a new deal with the club.
PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff at Stamford Bridge, which means that it is time for a prediction! Chelsea haven't been at their best for a while but they do have the useful habit of still managing to win matches. I expect that to be the case again today, particularly with Stoke having not much to fight for, so I'm going for a 2-0 victory.
You can find out what the Sports Mole sofa had to say about this game in our video preview below:
Stoke's record against Chelsea is a fairly dismal one, with only one victory in their last 16 league meetings. They have earned just five points from a possible 39 in Premier League clashes with Chelsea and are yet to earn a single point at Stamford Bridge, losing all six of their visits.
Stoke have failed to even score in six of the last seven Premier League meetings, while Chelsea have keep five consecutive home clean sheets against the Potters and nine overall in their 13 Premier League games.
The reverse fixture saw Chelsea run out 2-0 winners at the Britannia, with Terry and Fabregas both getting on the scoresheet just before Christmas. The last meeting here, meanwhile, ended 3-0, with Mohamed Salah, Frank Lampard and Willian with the goals.
KICKOFF: Chelsea get us underway at Stamford Bridge as they look to open up a seven-point gap at the top of the table.
SAVE! Almost a perfect start for Chelsea and Remy! The Blues apply early pressure and Cahill, up from the back for a free kick, feeds the ball into the box for Remy. The striker's shot takes a deflection, and Begovic scrambles across to claw it away really well.
As expected, Chelsea have seen the vast majority of the ball in these opening exchanges. Stoke are staying disciplined in their shape, which is likely to be a recurring theme this afternoon.
SHOT! The hosts enjoy more good possession in the final third, but Remy whips an effort a few yards wide of the target to bring an end to the latest spell of pressure. The striker was looking for the far corner, but couldn't quite pull it off.
Stoke enjoy a bit of the ball now and are beginning to settle into this game now. They are looking to get men forward when they do have possession, but it is Chelsea who are controlling the tempo at the moment.
The hosts come forward again down the left, with Azpilicueta's overlapping run creating space for Oscar. The Brazilian has time to pick his spot with a curling effort, but his strike is blocked before it can even reach the goal.
Bright play from Hazard as he picks the ball up in midfield before suddenly coming to life, dipping inside and escaping the attentions of a defender. It opens up for him to have a shot, but he is a little off balance and skews it well off target.
SAVE! More nice football from Chelsea as they patiently come forward down the left. Remy makes a run down the channel and is found by Oscar before going for goal from a tight angle. Begovic is down smartly, however, before the defence complete the clearance.
The hosts are squeezing the game well at the moment, putting pressure on Stoke high up the pitch and often winning it back in good positions. Stoke haven't really got going here and could be behind already but for a couple of decent saves from Begovic.
Remy has been bright in the early stages and he again threatens here, collecting a pass just outside the box before working a yard to shoot. He drags his shot wide of the target, but he is causing the Stoke defence problems at the moment.
All of Chelsea's joy is coming down the left in this match, with Remy making regular runs down that channel and Hazard buzzing about with his usual intent.
Cahill concedes two fouls in quick succession on Walters, the latter of which gifts the visitors a free kick in a good crossing position...
It is Charlie Adam who whips it in but Chelsea deal with the initial delivery. The loose ball falls to a red and white shirt, but N'Zonzi's resulting effort is quickly snuffed out.
It is still Chelsea who are controlling this game, but Stoke are holding firm so far. The hosts have created a couple of good sights of goal but no really clear openings as of yet, despite their superior possession.
YELLOW CARD! Whelan goes into the book for a late challenge on Fabregas. Jonathan Moss initially let play continue, but returned to the foul at the next break in play.
CLOSE! Better from Stoke as they break quickly down the left. Adam's testing low cross is cut out by Cahill, but Matic can only hook it as far as N'Zonzi. The midfielder looks to bend one into the top corner, but it flies a yard or so too high with Courtois beaten.
SAVE! Lovely play from Hazard as he pops up on the right flank this time before cutting inside. He glides past a couple of defenders with ease before firing a low effort towards the bottom corner which Begovic gets down well to save.
CHANCE! Superb football from Chelsea as Azpilicueta and Willian combine to set up Oscar inside the box. He has Hazard in support but understandably goes for goal himself, sending a low effort just wide.
YELLOW CARD! Ryan Shawcross becomes the second name in the book today for a foul on Oscar in midfield. From the resulting free kick, Willian curls his effort over the crossbar.
There has been 38% of the action in Stoke's third, which is a sign of how Chelsea are dominating this match. They are almost camped in the visiting half, but still can't find a way through.
Stoke just can't get out at the moment. The pressure from Chelsea is relentless as they continue to knock the ball around confidently inside the opposition half, searching for a breakthrough.
PENALTY TO CHELSEA!
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Stoke (Eden Hazard)
First blood goes to Chelsea as Hazard converts from the spot. It was Wollscheid who gave away the penalty, diving in on Fabregas inside the box and bringing the Spaniard down. Jonathan Moss correctly points to the spot, and it is no surprise to see Hazard keep his cool and roll the ball home from 12 yards.
Painful one for Fabregas as Adam clatters into him, catching the Spaniard with a leading arm that leaves blood dripping from his nose. He should be fine to continue, but he looks a little dazed at the moment.
Stoke can have no complaints at trailing here, and they will need to show a little more attacking intent if they are to get back into the game. They have offered very little going forward so far.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Stoke (Charlie Adam)
Oh my word, we may well have seen the goal of the season! Stoke win the ball back deep inside their own half and work it forward to Charlie Adam, who catches Courtois off guard and pings his shot over the keeper from 60 yards! It is a truly remarkable, from a further distance than the likes of Beckham and Rooney's famous halfway line strikes. Incredible scenes, and it came out of nowhere.
There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this first half, with Stamford Bridge still stunned by that spectacular Adam strike.
YELLOW CARD! Ireland goes into the book for a cynical tug on Hazard, which gives Chelsea a free kick in a good crossing position right on the stroke of half time.
HALF TIME: Chelsea 1-1 Stoke City
Wow, what an end to the half that was. It is all square at the break, although Chelsea will be wondering quite how as they have bossed things in this game so far. A moment of magic from Charlie Adam has levelled things up for Stoke, however, and they will be buoyed by that going into the second half now.
The opening goal of the match came from the penalty spot as Eden Hazard rolled the ball home from 12 yards after Fabregas had been brought down by Wollscheid inside the area. It was a rash challenge from the Stoke defender, who lunged in inside the box, and the referee was right to point to the spot. Hazard has a 100% penalty record in the Premier League, and he kept that up with a cool finish.
The headlines were stolen by Adam on the stroke of half time, however, as the midfielder pinged a truly spectacular effort over Courtois from 60 yards. There didn't seem to be anything on for the Scot, but he came up with a moment of genius and provided one of the greatest goals in Premier League history. You will be seeing that goal for years to come.
It looked like it was going to take something special to Stoke to get back into the game having failed to really threaten for the vast majority of that first half. They haven't had any joy in the final third so far, but who needs that when Charlie Adam can score from 60 yards?! Stamford Bridge was stunned by that equaliser, and Stoke will be hoping that they are able to capitalise after the break.
Chelsea have had a number of openings in the game so far, however, and they can feel hard done by to only be level at the break, even accounting for Adam's moment of genius. Remy has been bright up front and has squandered a few chances, while Oscar and Hazard have also threatened.
KICKOFF: Stoke get us back underway for the second half as they look to build on that unbelievable Charlie Adam goal. Jose Mourinho has responded with a change at the break, replacing Oscar with Diego Costa.
SAVE! More bright play from Hazard as he drifts into space in the right channel. He dips inside and fires a powerful effort towards the top corner, but Begovic is there to make a good save.
Chelsea have quickly regained control of this game at the start of the second half. They are playing with intent in possession and seem to have recovered from the setback of conceding such a stunning equaliser.
Better from Stoke as they begin to see a bit more of the ball. The home crowd are growing increasingly frustrated, and right now Stoke are doing a good job in keeping Chelsea at arm's length.
Hazard shows a great turn of pace to burst past Hazard before being brought down by Ireland's lunging challenge. The midfielder did get some of the ball but it was a risky tackle for a player already on a yellow card.
SAVE! From the resulting free kick Willian floats the ball into a dangerous area. Whelan is the man to flick it on, almost sending it into his bottom corner, but Begovic reacts really well to tip it wide.
CHELSEA SUB: Really bad news for Chelsea as Costa's hamstring goes, and he immediately signals that he can't continue. Didier Drogba replaces the striker, who could be set for a spell on the sidelines now.
Fabregas picks the ball up inside the Stoke half and carries it towards the area, snaking across the pitch before finally finding space to shoot. His effort is blocked, however, and the deflection pops up nicely for Begovic to collect.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Stoke (Loic Remy)
Chelsea regain the lead, and it is a gift from Stoke. Begovic tries to roll the ball out to N'Zonzi, but Willian nips in to win possession back for Hazard. The winger races through on goal before unselfishly squaring the ball for Remy, who has the simple task of stroking it home into the empty net.
STOKE SUB: The visitors make a change in the aftermath of that goal, with Marko Arnautovic replacing Diouf.
CHELSEA SUB: Chelsea also make a change as goalscorer Remy departs to be replaced by Juan Cuadrado.
OFF THE POST! Stoke are inches away from restoring parity once again. N'Zonzi curls an effort towards the far corner and it bends just out of the reach of Courtois, who can only watch on helplessly as the ball clips the outside of the post on its way behind. So close for the visitors!
YELLOW CARD! Adam picks up a needless yellow card for an angry reaction towards the linesman after a throw-in was given against him.
Adam bursts forward from midfield and looks like he will take them all on before seeing his eventual effort blocked by Cahill. It is end-to-end stuff now in an entertaining period of the game.
YELLOW CARD! Wollscheid is the fifth Stoke name in the book, but this one is a little harsh. The defender made minimal contact with Drogba, who went down far too easily.
There is no doubt that Chelsea deserve this lead, but Stoke are looking threatening on the odd occasion when they come forward. Mourinho will want a third goal from his side just to give them a cushion here.
Good work from Willian down the right flank as he fizzes a ball right across the face of goal. The Brazilian has enjoyed a good game today.
Chelsea have 15 minutes left to hold on to this lead now, and potentially add to it. They are looking more likely to get the game's fourth goal right now, but as long as the gap remains just one Stoke are still in it.
The hosts are controlling the ball now, slowing the tempo of the game right down and managing the match really well. Stoke just can't get on the ball right now, and that is preventing them from building any sort of momentum.
STOKE SUBS: Two changes for Stoke as Peter Crouch and Erik Pieters come on for Adam and Ireland.
CHANCE! Oh my word, how has this one not gone in?! Drogba slides a pass through to Hazard, who does brilliantly to beat his man inside the box before pulling the ball back into a dangerous area. Willian looks to have a tap-in, but Begovic pulls off an outstanding stop before also blocking the rebound by the Brazilian. That is an incredible double save from the keeper.
Chelsea will really kick themselves if they don't end up winning this match. They have been in control for the vast majority of the game but haven't yet been able to kill Stoke off here.
Stoke have just over five minutes left to rescue something from this game. They have had their moments so far, notably Adam's amazing goal and N'Zonzi hitting the post, so may feel that they have one last chance in them going into the closing stages.
Chelsea have done a really good job in managing this match since regaining their lead. They are still controlling the possession and keeping Stoke from mounting any sort of comeback at the moment.
A worry for Stoke as Cameron pulls up following a clash with Drogba. The American quickly recovers, however, and should be fine to continue despite not moving very freely at the moment.
There will be four minutes of added time at the end of this match.
CHANCE! Chance for Stoke to get a late equaliser here as the ball arrives to Arnautovic just inside the box. He is coming onto the ball, but can't keep his effort down as he blazes it well off target.
YELLOW CARD! Crouch goes into the book for a reckless challenge on Hazard which was late and high. No complaints with that one.
YELLOW CARD! Drogba also goes into the book needlessly for kicking the ball away to postpone a goal kick.
FULL TIME: Chelsea 2-1 Stoke City
Chelsea successfully see out the victory to tighten their grip on the Premier League title, beating Stoke 2-1 to move seven points clear of second-placed Arsenal. They have eight games remaining and most of the teams around them have just seven, so the title is very much in their hands now.
Eden Hazard got the opening goal from the penalty spot, rolling his effort home after Fabregas had been fouled by Wollscheid. Charlie Adam levelled things up in the most spectacular fashion as he scored from 60 yards, but it was Loic Remy who proved to be the match winner for the second game in a row by tapping home after Hazard had put it on a plate for him.
That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for a memorable clash as Chelsea edge ever closer to Premier League glory courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Stoke. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
