Chelsea travelled to Stoke City on Saturday knowing that a win would move them above Tottenham Hotspur and into third place in the Premier League table.
They took the lead at the end of a tight first half thanks to a Jonathan Walters own goal before the Stoke midfielder headed into his own net for a second time after the break.
Frank Lampard added a third from the penalty spot to become the club's second-highest goalscorer of all time before Eden Hazard wrapped up the win with an unstoppable long-range drive.
Walters had the chance to score at the right end from the penalty spot in the final minutes, but a dismal afternoon for the Irishman ended with him hitting his spot kick against the crossbar.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how the action unfolded at the Britannia Stadium.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of today's Premier League match between Stoke City and Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium.
The last time that these two sides met was at the end of September when Ashley Cole popped up late to score his first, and so far only, goal of the season in a 1-0 win for the Blues.
Roberto Di Matteo was in charge at Stamford Bridge then but it's now the Rafa Benitez era and Chelsea come into the match with a 2-0 defeat at home to Swansea City in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final. That result gave Blues fans the chance to vent their spleen (again) at Benitez, though a win today could send them up to third place in the Premier League table.
Chelsea had won four consecutive league matches before their shock 1-0 loss at home to Queens Park Rangers 10 days ago. Since then they've smashed Southampton 5-1 in the FA Cup and slumped to the previously-mentioned defeated against Swansea.
Today's hosts Stoke City have endured their own struggles in recent weeks with just one win from their last seven matches in all competitions. They were held to a goalless draw at Championship side Crystal Palace in the FA Cup last weekend and before that they were comfortably beaten 3-0 at Manchester City in the league. They've had plenty of draws recently - five from seven matches - and their last win came on Boxing Day when they came from behind to beat Liverpool 3-1 in the league.
Early team news suggests that Demba Ba starts ahead of Fernando Torres for Chelsea...
CHELSEA: Cech; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cole; Hazard, Lampard, Ramires, Bertrand; Mata, Ba
Subs: Turnbull, Torres, Oscar, Ferreira, Marin, Terry, Ake
Subs: Turnbull, Torres, Oscar, Ferreira, Marin, Terry, Ake
Demba Ba does in fact get the nod ahead of Fernando Torres for Chelsea, who also welcome back goalkeeper Petr Cech from injury. Frank Lampard also starts in midfield. Meanwhile, John Terry is named on the bench as he makes his return following a two-month absence with a serious knee problem.
STOKE: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Wilkinson; Walters, Whelan, Nzonzi, Etherington; Adam; Jones
Subs: Sorensen, Whitehead, Upson, Kightly, Crouch, Shotton, Jerome
Subs: Sorensen, Whitehead, Upson, Kightly, Crouch, Shotton, Jerome
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has made a total of six changes to the side that drew with Crystal Palace as Asmir Begovic, Andy Wilkinson, Glenn Whelan, Matthew Etherington, Charlie Adam and Kenwyne Jones all return. Peter Crouch is on the bench, but there is no Michael Owen in the squad.
It's unclear what reason Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez will give for dropping Torres, but it looks like the Spanish striker has paid for his poor display against Swansea in midweek. He was booed by large sections of support at Stamford Bridge before Demba Ba came on to spruce up the Blues attack. From a tactical point of view, it could also be said that Ba will offer more resistance to Stoke's robust style of play.
Looking back in previous meetings between these two sides it becomes instantly clear that Stoke have an abysmal record against Chelsea. Their last win was a 1-0 victory in the League Cup back in 1995, but their last triumph in the league came in April 1975...
Since Stoke's return to the top flight in 2008, they have lost six and draw two of their eight meetings with Chelsea. The scores have been kept generally low in recent years, but Tony Pulis's side were on the end of a 7-0 thumping at Stamford Bridge in April 2010.
UPDATE: We have our first result in the Premier League this weekend and it's a significant one for Chelsea as Tottenham Hotspur can only manage a 0-0 draw at struggling QPR. Rafa Benitez's side now know that they can move into third place if they win this afternoon.
That said, a win for Stoke this afternoon could lift them up to eighth place in the standings.
You can read our match report of QPR's well-earned point against Spurs here.
So then, how do we see this one going today? Despite Stoke's poor record against Chelsea, you would expect the Potters to be their usual belligerent selves this afternoon. Feathers are sure to be ruffled in the Chelsea midfield, but the visitors now have the carrot of third place dangling tantalisingly in front of them. Put me down for a 2-1 to Chelsea.
However, if it's all going wrong for Chelsea they can always bring on Fernando Torres...
The crowd sound as pumped as ever inside the Britannia Stadium as the players line up in the tunnel. Five minutes until this one gets underway.
The two sides emerge onto the pitch of the Britannia and it's a blustery day in the Potteries. Just how they like it in these parts.
Here we go then, it'll be Stoke City to start this one off...
We've only played one minute and Rafa Benitez is already on the touchline frantically giving his players instructions.
EARLY CHANCE! Glenn Whelan gives the ball away on the edge of his area to Juan Mata, who plays in Ramires. The Brazilian drives into the penalty box, but he is denied by a fantastic challenge from Ryan Shawcross. Chelsea get a corner out of it, only for Stoke to clear.
Chelsea are doing all of th early pressing here. Hazard shows lovely skill on the left before he fires in a cross towards Demba Ba. However, the ball doesn't quite reach his teammate.
CHANCE! That a glorious opportunity for Kenwyne Jones! Andy Wilkinson's deflected shot falls to the striker on the left side of the area, but he drags his left-footed effort wide of Petr Cech's far post.
This match looks like it could be a lively one. Chelsea full-back Cesar Azpilicueta has bags of time to deliver in a cross from the right, only for Huth to hook the ball away. Fairly frantic stuff at the moment with some tasty challenges to boot. Oh, and David Luiz has had a slight trim.
Ryan Bertrand gives away an unnecessary corner to Stoke, but the home side can't make anything of it as Glenn Whelan hits it too deep.
No sooner had it said that the match was getting lively that it dies down a little. Chelsea have plenty of possession in and around the Stoke goal, but they can't do anything with it.
A sniff of goal for Stoke there as Cech is forced out of his goal to head a long ball clear. The ball falls to Etherington, who is fouled. The winger lumps a cross into the area and Chelsea clear.
CHANCE! Stoke win their second corner of the game and Steven N'Zonzi manages to direct a header at goal. It's a weak effort though and Cech gathers. Meanwhile, the Chelsea fans sing Roberto Di Matteo's name...
The hosts are really cranking up the pressure now. They win a couple of corners that ultimately come to nothing, but they've been dominant in these past five minutes or so.
It's a shot at goal for Stoke, albeit a poor one. They surge forward through Etherington on the left before the winger drifts inside to find Whelan. The midfielder is about 20 yards from goal and slips at the vital moment, sending his effort harmlessly wide.
A slightly humourous moment there involving Jonathan Walters. The Stoke forward tried to hook a volley towards goal but instead ending up hitting himself in the face before the ball went out for a goal kick.
SAVE! That's a great stop from Asmir Begovic. The Stoke fans sing chants of 'BORING!' as Chelsea play around with the ball on the edge of the box, but there was nothing boring about Demba Ba's pass to play in Frank Lampard. However, but the midfielder's shot is blocked by Begovic from close range.
Ramires and Charlie Adam are having a little battle in midfield at the moment. Adam nobbled the Brazilian a few minutes ago, but Ramires gets his own back this time by clattering into his opposite number.
Stoke threaten again as Azpilicueta is caught out of position by Etherington, who feed Jones in the edge of the area. The striker does well to turn and get his shot away, only for Ivanovic to make the block.
CHANCE! Begovic again comes to the rescue for Stoke. Lampard picks out Ba on the angle and the Senegalese's effort is kept out by the Stoke keeper. The ball comes out to Ramires, but he is denied by a superb last-ditch tackle from Wilkinson.
More fine defending from Stoke there as Huth and Shawcross combine to cut out Hazard's intricate pass to Mata. The Spaniard would have had a clear sight of goal if that ball had reached him there.
YELLOW CARD: We've got out first booking of the match as Wilkinson chops down Hazard on the left side. Free kick to Chelsea...
Mata whips it in, but Shawcross clears for a corner. Chelsea play it short and the ball eventually comes to Ashley Cole, who blasts the ball well over from all of 30 yards.
CHANCE! It's a decent effort from Whelan who hits a controlled volley from the egde of the box towards goal. However, it's straight at Cech and the Chelsea shotstopper holds the ball comfortably. Less than firve minutes of normal time to play in this half and it's still goalless.
There will be two minutes of added time...
Chelsea have a free kick around 35 yards from goal following Adam's handball, but Lampard can only smack it against the wall.
GOAL! STOKE 0-1 CHELSEA (MATA)
Chelsea do some late pressing at the end of the first half and they're rewarded. However, it actually looks to be an own goal from Jonathan Walters. Azpilicueta whipped in a cross from the left and the Stoke winger headed past his own goalkeeper with Mata in attendance.
HALF TIME: STOKE 0-1 CHELSEA
Well, that was some end to what was a very entertaining first half indeed. Both managers are attempting to have a word with referee Andre Marriner as they all go down the tunnel, but it's Chelsea who lead thanks to that Jonathan Walters own goal.
It mustn't go without saying that Frank Lampard did brilliantly for that goal. The veteran midfielder won a throw for his side deep in Stoke territory when other players would have given up on the cause. It was from there that the ball was eventually worked out to Azpilicueta, who set up the goal.
It's unclear quite what Rafa Benitez and Tony Pulis were unhappy about when they were hounding Marriner down the tunnel. It was a fairly physical first half but there was nothing either side should be angry with.
Apparently Benitez was merely joining Pulis' 'conversation' with Marriner to hear what was being said...
Anyway, here come the players for the second half and it looks like there have been no changes for either side at the break. It'll be Chelsea to get this second half underway.
Anyway, here come the players for the second half and it looks like there have been no changes for either side at the break. It'll be Chelsea to get this second half underway.
Chelsea are putting some early pressure on Stoje at the start of this second period as Ryan Bertrand has a couple of crosses snuffed out.
Referee Andre Marriner has a word with Huth following the defender's hefty challenge on Hazard.
SAVE! Begovic pulls off a good save to deny Cole. Ba does brilliantly to dig out a cross on the right and the ball goes all the way through to Cole who hammers the ball low and hard from the edge of the box. However, Begovic is there with his legs to keep it out.
Stoke fans are now telling Rafa Benitez that he's a rotund man of Mediterranean descent who is in the hospitality industry. If you know what I mean...
SAVE! What a strike from N'Zonzi and it's matched by a superb stop from Cech. The midfielder lashes the ball goalwards from 35 yards, but the ball is turned away by the Chelsea keeper. Stoke pump in the resulting corner, but it's cleared.
Stoke certainly aren't shying away from this challenge. They're showing no fear in attacking as they try to find an equaliser. Meanwhile, Luiz is lucky not to go into the book for raising his boot to Shawcross.
Huge confusion here as referee Marriner looks to have given Stoke a penalty for Azpilicueta's tackle on Etherington. the Britannia Stadium goes wild, but it turns out that the offside flag is raised and Marriner is merely acknowledging his colleague's decision on the other side of the pitch. I wonder what Tony Pulis will have to say about that?
GOAL! STOKE 0-2 CHELSEA (LAMPARD)
Chelsea lead 2-0 and it looks like that it's Lampard who has nodded it in from a corner. I say it looks like because Jonathan Walters goes up with the midfielder. Surely it's not a second own goal for the Stoke man?
GOAL! STOKE 0-3 CHELSEA (LAMPARD, PEN)
It's all going on now as Chelsea go 3-0 ahead through Frank Lampard's penalty. It was Hazard who was brought down by Shawcross in the box with minimal contact and Lampard hammers in the resulting spot kick to become the second-leading scorer in Chelsea's history. Game over? Most likely.
SUBSTITUTION: Here comes Fernando Torres for Chelsea and he replaces Demba Ba.
Going back to the penalty incident and it looks as if there was little to no contact between Huth, Shawcross and Hazard. The Stoke pair tried to hustle the Belgian out of the ball, but instead he went down via the most minimal of touches.
GOAL! STOKE 0-4 CHELSEA (HAZARD)
Goodness me, what a goal! Eden Hazard picks up the ball from about 30 yards out and he hammers it past Begovic and into the top corner. What a stunning strike!
Just under of 15 minutes of normal time left in this one and Chelsea are stroking the ball around with the greatest of ease. They've been very good indeed in the second half.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Changes for both sides here as Cameron Jerome and Dean Whitehead come on for Kenwyne Jones and Charlie Adam, while John Terry makes his first senior appearance since November as he replaces Juan Mata.
The Chelsea fans give out as huge cheer as Terry dons the captain's armband to take his place in defence. He doesn't get quite as glowing a reception from the Stoke fans.
Stoke are trying to give their supporters something to cheer about, but Wilkinson's cross evades all of his teammates and goes straight to Cech.
SUBSTITUTION: Chelsea make their final change now as Cesar Azpilicueta is taken off for Paulo Ferreira.
Five minutes of normal time are left on the clock and the Stoe fans are starting to file out of the Britannia Stadium. They've seen enough.
SUBSTITUTION: Another change for Stoke here as Michael Kightly replaces Matthew Etherington.
PENALTY TO STOKE!
MISS! Jonathan Walters has the chance to score at the right end after he is brought down in the area by John Terry, but his penalty smashes against the crossbar before going out of play. Walters has had a torrid afternoon and it's just got worse. We'll have three minutes of added time.
FULL TIME: STOKE 0-4 CHELSEA
The full-time whistle goes and Chelsea move into third place with a conclusive 4-0 win at Stoke City. It was a tight first half between the two sides, but the visitors turned on the style after the break to clinch the victory.
It's certainly a day that Jonathan Walters will be eager to forget: the midfielder scored two own goals and missed a penalty when he really deserved better.
Anyway, that's all from me for now. We hope that you've enjoyed our coverage of the game and don't forget that you can keep up to date with all the remaining sports action of the weekend with us here at Sports Mole. Goodbye!
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
