Chelsea Vs. Stoke City, 2012 Premier League: Blues Squeak Out Win

Roberto Di Matteo's Premier League debut as Chelsea manager wasn't exactly a spectacular one, but they were able to come away with three points while resting some of their key players ahead of their Champions League match against Napoli. Stoke City defended well all match and didn't look terribly bothered in the opening 25 minutes, but the game changed when Ricardo Fuller got himself sent off for a deliberate stomp on Branislav Ivanovic. Tony Pulis' ten remaining men played well, but eventually conceded as the Blues grabbed a 1-0 win.

The breakthrough eventually came in the 68th minute, with Didier Drogba scoring his 100th Premier League goal. Juan Mata, who started on the bench but entered in the first half in response to Fuller's sending off, provided the assist with a fantastic through ball into the penalty area. In the center of the box, Drogba took a couple of fantastic touches to get around Asmir Begovic, then apply a simple finish.

Stoke hadn't conceded in their last two league matches, so Chelsea will be happy to get three points any way they could, even if it wasn't terribly pretty. The pressure is now on Arsenal to defeat Newcastle on Monday night.