Chelsea were poor in front of the goal on Sunday afternoon and didn’t manage to score a goal from open play, but they never looked like conceding after Oscar put them ahead with a free kick in the 27th minute. Stoke were overrun throughout the game and struggled to create chances, falling 1-0 to the Blues.
Chelsea vs. Stoke City: Final score 1-0, comfortable for the Blues
The hosts didn’t score from open play, but they never looked like doing anything but beating the Potters.
Samuel Eto'o produced a great chance in the 2nd minute, and his strike was a sign of things to come for both sides. Stoke couldn't stop him from turning and shooting inside the box, but the Cameroonian's shot smacked off the bottom of the far post.
Chelsea's breakthrough came on a truly spectacular free kick from Oscar at the end of a very well-worked routine. A run from David Luiz distracted Asmir Begovic, who had no chance to get a hand to Oscar's free kick after he took one step in the wrong direction.
The second half was heavy on good chances for the hosts, but their finishing was lacking. Thankfully for them, it didn't matter, as Stoke were even worse in front of their net and offered little going forward. Their only shot on target came in the 34th minute, and it didn't test Mark Schwarzer.
Chelsea: Schwarzer, Cole, David Luiz, Cahill, Ivanovic, Lampard, Matic, Hazard, Oscar (Willian 81’), Schürrle (Ramires 70’), Eto’o (Ba 85’)
Goals: Oscar (27’)
Stoke: Begovic, Pieters (Muniesa 85’), Wilson, Shawcross, Cameron, Palacios (Assiadi 72’), Nzonzi, Arnautovic (Adam 83’), Ireland, Walters, Crouch
Goals: None
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