Independent
Eden Hazard and Loic Remy fire Chelsea into seven point lead despite brilliant Charlie Adam goal
Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1
By MIGUEL DELANEY
The only complication for what should be a relatively easy run-in is the fact Costa suffered such a difficult evening, as he was taken off just 10 minutes after coming on as a sub in anguished scenes so reminiscent of his end to last season with Atletico Madrid.
Having been flat on the ground in pain, the Spain international then had to be helped off the pitch by two Chelsea staff members. His manager Jose Mourinho said he will be out for at least two weeks, but they will not know for certain until Monday.
Despite that, the Portuguese insisted that putting the forward on – at a stage of the game when it was 1-1 and Chelsea were looking a little toothless – was not a gamble. He also insisted that, as a medical department at a club that challenges, they have to take such decisions.
“It’s too early to determine how long he will be out,” Mourinho said. “We have to wait 48 hours, do all the scans again. He will be out for two weeks for sure, but we still have seven weeks of the season to go, and eight matches for sure. Half of it he has to be with us.
“I don’t say [it was] a gamble because we did every test, every scan. The player trained two days 100 per cent with the team. The medical department were convinced he was ready. The player was convinced he was ready, not for 90 per cent but to play and help the team.
“As a manager you have to risk things tactically, the medical department has to do the same if they want to be top medical departments like ours is. The safe medical department can’t work with me.”
Chelsea did need to take more risks in their play, as the effervescent Eden Hazard was the single source of creativity. He had put Chelsea ahead with a casually rolled-in penalty after Cesc Fabregas had been felled by Philipp Wollscheid on 39 minutes, only for Adam to respond within minutes with one of the goals of the season, if not the decade.
The midfielder picked the ball up 65 yards from goal, looked up and launched an effort over the scrabbling Thibaut Courtois’s head. It was sensational.
“I didn’t enjoy it,” Mourinho smiled afterwards, “but it’s the goal that every top player in the world would love to score.”
Adam himself said: “I never knew I had that much power, to beat a quality goalkeeper like that is something special. One that I will always remember. It was one of them that sat up nicely and I saw the goalie off his line. I was lucky enough that it went in. Once in a lifetime this can happen to you.”
Meanwhile Chelsea were frustrated by Asmir Begovic in the Stoke goal as he made brilliant save after brilliant save, only to gift them the game. His attempt at a pass out went straight to Hazard, who then ripped into the box before squaring for Loïc Rémy to finish easily. It was the striker’s second successive match-winner for Chelsea.
“It’s fantastic for the boy to play in the last two matches and score two winning goals,” Mourinho said. “Very important points for us, and important for him to feel that happiness.”
Mourinho also declared himself very happy with the performance, particularly given the stage of the season. “A victory is a victory. Yesterday I sent an SMS to [Middlesbrough manager Aitor] Karanka. They won 1-0, and I told him 1-0 in April is like 10-0 in November. For us is no different. You win titles playing well over a season, the team is very good, but in the countdown it’s about everything.
He added: “The most important thing is that our countdown went from [needing] six victories and one draw to five and one draw.” It’s far from a long shot.
Chelsea: (4-2-3-1) Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar (Costa, 45; Drogba, 55), Hazard; Remy (Cuadrado, 62)
Stoke City: (4-4-1-1) Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Wilson; Ireland (Crouch, 78), N’Zonzi, Whelan, Adam (Pieters, 78); Walters; Diouf (Arnautovic, 62)
Referee: Jonathan Moss.
Man of the match: Hazard (Chelsea).
Match rating: 7/10.
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Observer
Chelsea’s Loïc Rémy the hero after Charlie Adam wondergoal for Stoke City
Chelsea 2 - 1 Stoke
Dominic Fifield at Stamford Bridge
If Chelsea’s pursuit of a first Premier League title in five years had already sported an air of inevitability, then this latest success has merely served to reinforce that sense. Even the ping of their top scorer’s hamstring or an equaliser conceded from well inside their opponents’ half cannot stop José Mourinho’s side for long these days, Charlie Adam’s jaw-dropping goal from around 65 yards rendered a mere footnote when it deserved to be a headline.
The leaders boast a seven-point advantage at the top and, even if that gap is trimmed to six by Manchester City on Monday night, they will still benefit from a game in hand on the trio of clubs closest to them in a distant chasing pack. Chelsea are ticking off the games, grinding out wins despite key players starting to wilt at the workload they have taken on this term. Five more victories and a draw will see them home even if medical checks over the week ahead will determine how much of a part Diego Costa plays in those fixtures.
The leaders boast a seven-point advantage at the top and, even if that gap is trimmed to six by Manchester City on Monday night, they will still benefit from a game in hand on the trio of clubs closest to them in a distant chasing pack. Chelsea are ticking off the games, grinding out wins despite key players starting to wilt at the workload they have taken on this term. Five more victories and a draw will see them home even if medical checks over the week ahead will determine how much of a part Diego Costa plays in those fixtures.
A player initially rested here ended up lasting only 12 minutes having been introduced at the break with this arena still digesting Adam’s ridiculous equaliser. Mourinho confirmed the forward faces at least two weeks on the sidelines though, in reality, that initial diagnosis may prove optimistic. His absence will be felt, particularly given there are collisions with Manchester United and Arsenal to come after next Sunday’s west London derby at Loftus Road, even if his stand-in, Loïc Rémy, has now scored the winner in successive games.
The Frenchman’s decisive goal here was a gift from the otherwise excellent Asmir Begovic, the goalkeeper rolling the ball towards Steven Nzonzi only for Willian to intercept. Eden Hazard, at his inspirational best throughout, dribbled into the area and squared for the striker to score into an empty net, with the relief around this arena palpable. Forget mind-boggling attempts from distance: this team will be more than happy to stroll over the finish line with a series of opposition aberrations and tap-ins.
Stoke’s own reward here had been spectacular, a goal to eclipse that of David Beckham in 1996 in terms of its audacious quality even if it lacked the player’s superstar-in-the-making looks. The visitors had been defending just before the interval when Stephen Ireland intercepted and fed Adam, the Scot meandering to the edge of the centre-circle inside his own half before pummelling a shot so optimistic it initially felt like a clearance into touch to grant his team-mates a breather. Yet the shot arced wickedly, a panicked Thibaut Courtois only able to paw at it with his left hand as he back-tracked and the ball veered into the net.
Stoke’s own reward here had been spectacular, a goal to eclipse that of David Beckham in 1996 in terms of its audacious quality even if it lacked the player’s superstar-in-the-making looks. The visitors had been defending just before the interval when Stephen Ireland intercepted and fed Adam, the Scot meandering to the edge of the centre-circle inside his own half before pummelling a shot so optimistic it initially felt like a clearance into touch to grant his team-mates a breather. Yet the shot arced wickedly, a panicked Thibaut Courtois only able to paw at it with his left hand as he back-tracked and the ball veered into the net.
Mark Hughes described the midfielder’s 50th career goal as “outrageous”. Mourinho, while piqued by a foul on Hazard in the build-up, elaborated. “I didn’t enjoy it, but it was a goal every top player in the world would love to score,” he said. “From Diego Maradona to Lionel Messi, all these brilliant players … some of them did it, but not all of them. He can. It’s a fantastic goal, but we made a mistake. It’s a clear foul on Hazard, but we cannot stop waiting for the referee to give it. We have to react, press the ball, close the space. The goalkeeper also has to anticipate what can happen behind him, but it’s a goal for his history, probably the best goal for the season in the Premier League. It’s a pity it doesn’t give him any points.”
In the end the only real ramifications were felt by Costa, who had been flung on as a direct result and in pursuit of parity. Chelsea had laboured at times without him in that first period, Begovic denying them reward from an urgent opening and Stoke rugged and organised until self-destructing with half-time in sight. Hazard’s backheel and Willian’s slide-rule pass liberated Cesc Fàbregas, with Philipp Wollscheid sliding in as the Spaniard dragged the ball back with his instep. The penalty was not disputed and was dispatched with ease by Hazard.
The Belgian was inspirational, a constant menace demanding the ball and tearing at his markers. He should have supplied Juan Cuadrado with a third before the end only for the Colombian, offered a rare cameo, to strike Begovic with a point-blank shot and then with the rebound when it appeared easier to score. Mourinho had slumped across the advertising hoarding in frustration at those misses, his nerves frayed further when Nzonzi struck a post, though it mattered not.
“A victory is a victory,” he added. “I sent [Aitor] Karanka an SMS yesterday after Middlesbrough won 1-0 and told him 1-0 in April is like 10-0 in November. Our countdown is only about us. At lunchtime, we needed six victories and one draw. At dinnertime, five victories and one draw.”
The Belgian was inspirational, a constant menace demanding the ball and tearing at his markers. He should have supplied Juan Cuadrado with a third before the end only for the Colombian, offered a rare cameo, to strike Begovic with a point-blank shot and then with the rebound when it appeared easier to score. Mourinho had slumped across the advertising hoarding in frustration at those misses, his nerves frayed further when Nzonzi struck a post, though it mattered not.
“A victory is a victory,” he added. “I sent [Aitor] Karanka an SMS yesterday after Middlesbrough won 1-0 and told him 1-0 in April is like 10-0 in November. Our countdown is only about us. At lunchtime, we needed six victories and one draw. At dinnertime, five victories and one draw.”
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Telegraph
Chelsea 2 Stoke 1
Loic Remy grabs winner after Charlie Adam steals show with long-range goal
Matt Law
David Beckham may well have the edge in the looks department, but Charlie Adam can now claim to have scored a better long-range goal than the former Manchester United and England midfielder.
Adam’s 64-yard stunner did not earn Stoke City a point at Stamford Bridge but it is a strong contender for goal of the season and will live long in the memory.
Fortunately for Thibaut Courtois, the Chelsea goalkeeper will not have to recall the ball sailing over his head as the moment the Premier League title race was blown open again.
Adam’s strike was sandwiched in between goals from Eden Hazard and Loïc Rémy, as Chelsea extended their lead at the top to seven points. Jose Mourinho’s men need five wins and a draw to be sure of the title.
Rémy has now scored Chelsea’s last two winning goals, having secured three points against Hull City, and may be vital in the run-in as Diego Costa suffered another injury. Top scorer Costa lasted just 12 minutes as a second-half substitute before being forced off holding his left hamstring.
Mourinho sent Costa on at half-time after Adam’s goal had cancelled out Hazard’s opener from the penalty spot and denied the home side the lead at the break.
Moments after leaving Cesc Fabregas with a bloody nose from a forearm smash, Adam picked the ball up well inside his own half and launched a left-foot shot that caught Courtois off his line.
Nobody could blame Courtois for not being ready, but the Belgian could not scamper back quick enough to stop Adam’s effort sailing over his head and bouncing into the net.
Adam ran straight over to Stoke manager Mark Hughes to celebrate his 44th-minute equaliser and Jamie Carragher was among the first to react by posting a message on Twitter that claimed the 29-year-old had tried his luck “at least three times every game” from inside his own area at Liverpool. It seems practice had finally made perfect.
Stoke had barely threatened Courtois before Adam’s goal and it was the visiting goalkeeper, Asmir Begovic, who had to be alert twice in the opening 15 minutes to stop Rémy netting. Gary Cahill’s cross fell to Rémy inside the penalty area and his shot deflected off Marc Wilson, forcing Begovic to make a fingertip save.
Begovic then got down well to stop another Rémy effort after he had been found by Oscar.
Mourinho showed his frustration at Stoke’s physical approach and Glenn Whelan was the first player to be booked for a foul on Fabregas. Later, in the first half, Whelan exchanged angry words with Hughes after the Welshmen had been shouting instructions from the touchline.
Central defender Ryan Shawcross also earned a yellow card for a body-check on Oscar, who, moments earlier, went close to opening the scoring following a fabulous Chelsea move. César Azpilicueta moved forward up the left and played the ball to Willian, who passed to Hazard, who in turn threaded Oscar through before the Brazilian shot just wide.
Hazard had already tested Begovic before the Belgian was given the chance to open the scoring from the penalty spot in the 39th minute. There was no doubt that Philipp Wollscheid chopped down Fabregas as the Spaniard attempted to cut the ball back on to his left foot and Hazard calmly dispatched the resulting spot-kick. Having watched Adam equalise in spectacular fashion, Mourinho took a half-time gamble on Costa that backfired. Costa had been forced off in Chelsea’s last game against Hull with hamstring trouble, but Mourinho had claimed the 26-year-old was fit to face Stoke. Costa pulled up unchallenged and signalled that his game was over in the 57th minute.
While Courtois may have been left red-faced by Adam’s long-range goal, Begovic will have been even more embarrassed over the part he played in handing Chelsea the lead back. He attempted to throw the ball to Steven N’Zonzi, but instead gifted it to Willian, who passed to Hazard and the forward unselfishly set-up Rémy to score with just under half-an-hour left.
Mourinho responded by taking Rémy off, presumably to protect the striker’s fitness with 37-year-old Didier Drogba already on the pitch as Costa’s replacement.
Courtois suffered another scare when an N’Zonzi shot beat him but the ball struck the post and bounced to safety. Juan Cuadrado, Rémy’s replacement, should have put the result beyond doubt with 10 minutes left.
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Mail
Chelsea 2 Stoke City
Loic Remy scores winner for Blues after Charlie Adam hits screamer from inside his own half
By Sami Mokbel for The Mail on Sunday
Chelsea are limping to the Premier League title; so, too, is star striker Diego Costa.
Jose Mourinho’s side haven’t been incredibly convincing in recent weeks and they stumbled to victory against Stoke, who saw Charlie Adam score with a breathtaking 66-yard rocket.
But the win came at a major cost as Costa suffered a recurrence of the hamstring injury that has dogged him all season.
The injury will sideline the forward for at least two weeks, meaning he is set to miss the games against Queens Park Rangers and Manchester United.
‘I don’t say it was a gamble because we did every test, every scan,’ said Mourinho. ‘The player trained two days 100 per cent with the team. The medical department were convinced he was ready.
‘The player was convinced he was ready, not for 90 per cent but to play and help the team.
‘As a manager you have to risk things tactically, medical department has to do the same if they want to be top medical departments like ours is.
‘A safe medical department can’t work with me. The department that says an injury of two weeks needs one or two months cannot work with me. People with fear who cannot work with risks do not work with me. Today, between them, the player and myself, things didn’t happen the best way.’
Chelsea were never in top gear — but still found a way to defeat resolute Stoke. That’s a title-winning knack.
Mourinho feels his side need five wins and a draw from their remaining eight games. It’ll take a miraculous capitulation for them not to win the title from here.
‘A victory is a victory. Winning 1-0 in April is like 10-0 in November. For us it is no different. You win titles playing well over a season, the team is very good, but in the countdown it’s about everything.’
This clash will forever be remembered for one of the greatest goals in English football history as Adam’s ping from well inside his own half left everyone in the stadium speechless.
It was no fluke. Just utter brilliance from Adam’s magic wand of a left foot. It should have been worth two.
The goal was by far and away the highlight of a relatively drab affair that Chelsea, in the end, just edged.
Loic Remy, starting in substitute Costa’s place, forced Asmir Begovic into two good saves inside 15 minutes as he looked to take advantage of his opportunity.
In fairness to Stoke, however, they were doing well to contain Chelsea’s attacking threat during and had John Terry not thrown himself in front of Philipp Wollscheid’s strike in the 24th minute they may even have taken the lead.
They went close again in the 27th minute, Steven N’Zonzi firing a long-range effort narrowly over the bar after some indecisive defending from Nemanja Matic.
For all their possession, it was developing into a frustrating afternoon for the league leaders.
Chelsea needed a spark, or a slice of good fortune. They got the latter thanks to a 38th-minute penalty as Wollscheid brought down Cesc Fabregas, whose body swerve completely deceived the German defender.
There were no complaints from Stoke. Likewise, Eden Hazard had no issues with dispatching the spot kick — sending Begovic the wrong way to put Chelsea ahead.
Fabregas, however, wasn’t smiling for long, requiring lengthy treatment on a bloody nose after running into Adam’s arm.
Hazard’s opener should have been the signal for Mourinho’s side to stroll to victory.
But they couldn’t predict what was about to happen. No one could.
There looked little danger when Adam picked up the ball around 10 yards inside his own half. But what happened next was extraordinary.
The former Liverpool midfielder glanced up to find Thibaut Courtois off his line, before unleashing an audacious attempt to embarrass the Belgian keeper.
As soon as it left Adam’s laces you knew it would end up in the back of the net. But you still couldn’t quite believe it as the ball, almost in slow motion, flew over Courtois.
Comparisons to David Beckham’s goal against Wimbledon in 1996 and Maynor Figueroa’s goal, against Stoke, in 2009 are inevitable. This was on a par, if not better.
Mourinho responded by throwing on Costa, in place of Oscar, at half-time. But the move backfired, Costa (right) lasted just 10 minutes before limping off to be replaced by Didier Drogba.
Begovic added to his growing list of stops by denying Hazard’s piledriver early in the second half.
But it was the Bosnian who gifted Chelsea the three points. The keeper’s weak throw was intercepted by midfielder Willian, who fed Hazard, who found Remy, who scored.
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Mirror
Chelsea 2-1 Stoke: Loic Remy nets winner after Charlie Adam 65-yard wondergoal
Darren Lewis
Eden Hazard scored from the spot before Adam's long-distance heroics but Remy popped up at the right time to seal all three points
Loic Remy wiped out Charlie Adam’s Goal of the Season contender to Chelsea seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Loic Remy wiped out Charlie Adam’s Goal of the Season contender to Chelsea seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.
On paper this looked routine for Jose Mourinho’s men who were undefeated at home beforehand. The reality was anything but as this fixture turned into the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Cesc Fabregas had his nose busted by Adam’s arm and Mourinho clashed with Stoke boss Mark Hughes as the tensions boiled over.
The Blues had drawn three out of their previous four at home going into this one. Hazard looked as though he would put that statistic to rest when he struck from the spot six minutes before half time.
The penalty had been awarded after Philipp Wollschied brought down Fabregas in the box. Hazard sent it down the middle as Asmir Begovic dived to his left.
A minute before half-time, however, Adam had Planet Football drooling as he hit his wonder-goal.
It came from behind the centre-circle in his own half with Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois off his line. Forget David Beckham’s effort against Wimbledon in 1999, that was actually on the half-way line.
Adam’s strike was against a better team, a better keeper and required far more speed of thought to assess his options. The bookies have made it the 3-1 favourite for Goal of the Season. All I can say is that the goal which beats it will be out of this world.
It left Chelsea stunned going into the break. They were already fuming from the challenge from Adam - with his arm - that left Fabregas’s nose streaming with blood.
Mourinho had good reason to be vexed as well. Stoke were rough. Too much so. Hughes can be as defensive as he likes but his side's reputation is entirely justified.
In the second half Mourinho clearly told his men to go down at every opportunity under challenge from the Stoke players in order to keep them at bay. The visitors ended up with five yellow cards against them.
It has to be said, however, that as pleasing on the eye as Chelsea’s approach play was, they were struggling to break Stoke down until Begovic gave them the winner on a plate.
The Bosnian rolled out a ball intended for Steven N’Zonzi. Hazard intercepted it, slalomed into the box and teed up Remy to caress it into an empty net.
To gift the league leaders a goal like that after his side had done so well to get back into it was simply criminal from Begovic.
Chelsea march on. But at what cost? Diego Costa, who has struggled to much with his hamstrings this season, lasted just 11 minutes after coming on as a replacement for Oscar at half time. Didier Drogba took his place.
Who knows when we will see Costa again. Chelsea should see off QPR in their next game at Loftus Road. But after that they host Manchester United then go to Arsenal.
The title race may have a few twists and turns to come yet.
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Chelsea 2 - Stoke 1: Hazard inspires Blues to victory after Charlie Adam's 65-yard stunner
CHELSEA took another predictable step towards the Premier League title – but whether Diego Costa will be able to stay fit long enough to help them finish the job remains a serious concern.
By COLIN MAFHAM
The injury-troubled striker limped off again yesterday after just 11 minutes, raising worrying questions about his fitness to see out the rest of the season.
Sure enough, Jose Mourinho’s league leaders remain clear favourites to be crowned champions.
But they are not quite the same without Costa. His 20 goals so far are one of the main reasons Chelsea are where they are.
And even though the healthy seven point lead they now enjoy at the top of the table will probably be enough to see them home, his potential absence is still a big worry.
During the first half that Costa spent on the bench yesterday, modest Stoke always looked in with a chance.
Fair enough, they were always going to depend heavily on Asmir Begovic – and the keeper’s spectacular second minute save from Loic Remy proved the point.
But some of Chelsea’s misplaced passes were enough to give the Potters hope.
Some of the early ones were definitely not the stuff of champions, even if Begovic did need to be at his best again to deny Eden Hazard.
It was hardly a surprise when Costa – left on the bench to start with to nurse his troublesome hamstring – started to warm up on the half hour.
Chelsea without him just didn’t pose the same menace.
All that was forgotten, however, on 38 minutes when Philipp Wollscheid brought a lovely little Chelsea move to a halt with a rash challenge on Cesc Fabregas that persuaded referee Jonathan Moss to point to the spot for a penalty.
TV replays suggested the German got a touch on the ball before Fabregas went down. Hazard, though, had no problem converting what was Chelsea’s first Premier League penalty in five months and only their third this season.
But surprise surprise, Chelsea then went and shot themselves in the foot – or Thibaut Courtois did!
Charlie Adams spotted the normally reliable keeper much further off his line than he should have been and grabbed the unlikeliest of equalisers with a 60-yard cracker that could well be up there when they pick the goal of the season.
Mourinho had seen enough and Costa was duly brought on for the largely ineffective Oscar after the interval – but he was on for just 11 short minutes.
The Spaniard pulled up again and, even though Chelsea had Didier Drogba to call on from the bench, the signs were not good.
Having a legend like Drogba to bring on will be cold comfort for Mourinho and co if Costa’s problems reduce his contribution for the rest of the season.
Remy eased the pain by putting Chelsea back in front with the simplest of tap ins on 62 minutes – courtesy of a howler by the previously impressive Begovic.
The Bosnian tried to find Steven Nzoni with a casual throw out. Willian nipped in and intercepted before laying the ball on to Hazard, who found Remy with an open goal to shoot into.
Goals don’t come much easier than that, but the Frenchman’s reward for scoring it was to be immediately replaced to give the £30million Colombian Juan Cuadrado a rare run out. Such is the depth of this Chelsea squad.
And if they are left without Costa for the run-in they are going to need all that strength.
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Star
Chelsea 2 Stoke 1: Remy nets winner after Adam stunner but Costa suffers ANOTHER injury
Harry Pratt
Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam has scored some screamers down the years but nothing that compares with his long-range stunner yesterday.
In fact long-range might be slightly belittling the Scot’s extraordinary 44th-minute effort. It was all of 65 yards. Yep, you read right… SIXTY-FIVE YARDS.
When Adam picked up possession and saw Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois off his line, few sane observers reckoned he was actually going to let rip.
However, with a swing of his mercurial left peg the Potters man did just that, catching the ball beautifully.
And from the moment it left the boot and Chelsea’s Belgium stopper started back-pedalling in frantic fashion, you knew it was on target.
Even then it seemed Courtois might get to it. But, no, the flight of the ball took it sailing over his head and then dipping perfectly under the bar.
What a stunner – a heavenly strike to rival Stoke team-mate Peter Crouch’s incredible volley on the run two years ago against Man City.
It is safe to say there is no need to look for a goal of the season in 2014-15. Adam has won it – hook, line and sink.
To be undone by such a sensational piece of skill was no consolation to Chelsea at that time.
It cancelled out Eden Hazard’s penalty opener for the Blues six minutes earlier – and suddenly had the runaway league leaders wobbling at the summit.
Worried Jose Mourinho decided to take prompt action at the interval and threw on Diego Costa, having initially resisted the temptation to play his top scorer as he struggles with hamstring trouble.
But that gamble backfired badly.
The Spaniard lasted ten minutes before limping off down the tunnel.
Yet before Stoke could take advantage, their keeper Asmir Begovic had a rush of blood and gifted Chelsea a killer second.
Begovic’s 61st-minute throw-out always looked short of pace and so it proved, with Brazilian ace Willian intercepting.
He fed Hazard and there was only one outcome from there as he sped into the box and rolled a pass for Loic Remy to fire into an empty net.
All of which seriously eased the nerves among the home fans – and ensured Chelsea remain in pole position to be crowned champions for the first time in five years.
Arsenal’s 4-1 thumping of Liverpool earlier in the day had cranked up the pressure on the Blues, who kicked off only four points clear of their London rivals.
However, they still had two games in hand – and those hoping for an almighty slip-up from Chelsea in the coming weeks were not banking on Stoke helping the cause.
The Potters had lost their last seven visits to SW6, conceding 17 and scoring none.
Not that Chelsea had been setting the place alight of late either.
One win in five at home, including being dumped from the Champions League, meant those days earlier this season when they looked invincible had long gone.
With no Costa, the focus was on replacement Remy to score the goals last night.
He nearly did that after just two minutes but Begovic clawed his deflected shot to safety.
That set the early pattern and when Philipp Wollschield hacked down Cesc Fabregas for a penalty, it seemed Chelsea were cruising to victory.
As ever, Hazard calmly sent the keeper the wrong way for his 17th goal of the campaign.
