Stoke City 2-1

Telegraph:

Stoke City 1 Chelsea 2: Gary Cahill's late winner sends resilient Blues 13 points clear

Antonio Conte was so consumed with the joy of Gary Cahill’s winner that he grasped the lip of the dugout and heaved himself up until his chin was above the roof, celebrating the kind of victory that tells a manager his team have got what it takes to win a Premier League title.

There were minutes to spare when Cahill lashed in a ball loose in the Stoke City area, and Conte’s reaction was exactly what you would expect of a highly excitable Italian who has just seen his team take a major step towards the title. They had to fight the home side every inch of the way but these are the sort of victories - unexpected, hard-won, and heart-breaking for the opposition - that make a successful season.

For a short time there was a faint ray of light briefly glimpsed by the chasing two of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City but it was extinguished with that winning goal. Chelsea are now 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League table and all the questions will be asked of their pursuers when they come to play on Sunday.

They leaders won without Eden Hazard, left behind in London having suffered a calf injury in training, and they did so against a Stoke team who had been unbeaten in their previous eight home league games. It was a Stoke side who tried to get under the skin of Chelsea – Diego Costa in particular – and the game ended with one of those booked for kicking the striker, Phil Bardsley, dismissed in injury-time for a second yellow card.

Cahill had conceded the penalty from which Jonathan Walters scored a first-half equaliser, and there were times when it looked like Stoke might hang on. With around 20 minutes of the game left, Conte even abandoned the 3-4-3 formation which has taken English football by storm this season and switched a more conventional 4-2-3-1 with Cesc Fabregas off the bench to be the playmaker.

It was Fabregas whom Bardsley took down to earn his second booking of the game, his first having come for a foul on Costa before the break. The Brazilian had just about kept a lid on it in what proved an emotional first half for him, during which he was engaged in a running battle with a variety of Stoke defenders and midfielders.

“People are trying to say we targeted him,” Mark Hughes said later, “absolutely not. I played in that position many, many years and when I look at his qualities as a striker he is outstanding. But he has elements of his play you don’t need. It takes away from his image as a player. It’s not necessary…he went over too easily on numerous occasions and he stays down.”

Conte was more philosophical about the approach taken by Stoke. “It is not easy to answer. The rule of this kind of game is that it is normal to make a player angry and to get him to react and to commit another foul. That’s normal. The great news is that Diego is showing himself to be a great player in this way. I know in other seasons that sometimes he has been given two yellow cards. This season I have been pleased with him, and his behaviour.”

The task of going after Costa was shared out between the Stoke players with Bruno Martins Indi putting the Chelsea man on the ground first. Pieters put him into the advertising boards. Ryan Shawcross kicked him on the turn. Bardsley got that first booking for a high boot. Geoff Cameron nudged and goaded Costa whenever he got the chance.

Costa could not always prevent himself from reacting, and when he was booked for diving in the 16th minute, Stoke smelled an opportunity. Although Costa was not blameless, it was him battling alone against a number of opponents who were taking turns to try to bring him to the boil.

The first Chelsea goal was a terrible mistake by goalkeeper Lee Grant who flapped at a near post free-kick from Willian that should have been simple to deal with and pushed it into his own net. That said, it had been another foul from Stoke that had created the opportunity, a push from Marko Arnautovic on Marcos Alonso.

Chelsea had kept Stoke at arm’s length for much of the first half but let them back in for the last ten minutes. Anthony Taylor only disallowed a Martins Indi headed goal after a long consultation with his assistant who seemed to say that Saido Berahino had pushed Cesar Azpilicueta when the ball was headed back by Cameron.

Hughes did not agree with that decision and he also claimed that Cahill should have been sent off for shoving Jonathan Walters for the penalty. That was a push in the back and arguably no attempt to play the ball. Walters lifted a high shot past Thibaut Courtois and Stoke were back in it.

A deflected Willian free-kick after the hour beat Grant and struck the bar but otherwise, Chelsea were struggling to find a way through. With around 20 minutes left, Conte changed his formation. “When you want to take more risk and when you want all three points and not one, you have to try to change,” he said. “When you change there is that possibility to score a goal but also to concede. Sometimes I prefer to take a risk.”

It was another substitute, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who forced Pieters to give away a corner from which the winner came. David Luiz headed the corner goalwards and Pieters just prodded the ball weakly towards Cahill to score. There might have been more goals for Chelsea as Stoke finally collapsed but the job was already done.

“Today it is an important win against a strong team and in a great atmosphere,” Conte said. “In Italy we would call this place ‘molto caldo’”.


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Observer:

Chelsea believe Premier League title is coming after Gary Cahill sinks Stoke

Stoke 1 - 2 Chelsea

Jamie Jackson at the Bet365 Stadium

Gary Cahill’s 87th-minute winner had Antonio Conte swinging in delight on the roof of Chelsea’s bench and the captain mobbed by team-mates in front of a delirious travelling contingent.

This was particularly sweet for Cahill as his push on Jonathan Walters allowed the same player to equalise Willian’s opener as the break encroached.

Until Cahill’s intervention Chelsea Chelsea had been heading for two dropped points that would have offered a glimmer of hope to the chasing Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. But this smash-and-grab victory will only sap spirits in north London and east Manchester.

Conte hailed the three points as significant, and with Chelsea leading by 13 after 28 matches he was looking at the mathematics, pointing out that the equivalent of seven more victories will guarantee the championship.

“Today was a great win, a good signal but it is important to continue with the same commitment and work rate as a team,” he said. “We need to take 21 points for the title win. There are 10 games to go. I am pleased because to play Stoke at this point of the season, you have to be prepared mentally and physically. For this reason, we won today. It was a tough game, we tried to play football and deserved to win. We faced a really good team.

“I am pleased for Gary Cahill because we conceded a penalty after a little push from him. To score the winning goal is great for him and our team. Diego Costa played very well and showed great discipline. It is not easy to start the game with a yellow card and then to stay calm. Diego is showing me a great will to think and fight for the team. I want to continue this way.”

Costa had a typically spiky afternoon, which did not particularly impress Mark Hughes. “Diego Costa draws fouls and tries to make most of contact – when they are not fouls,” said Stoke City’s manager. “He is adept at the dark arts and everyone in football recognises that. He has many elements and factors, you have to put up with them.”

Stoke started brightly, troubling the visitors along their flanks. This had the home crowd urging them on though N’Golo Kanté’s slick midfield act soon had Chelsea threatening via Marcos Alonso and Costa, whose first half featured a running battle with a variety of opponents.

Costa went down under a Geoff Cameron challenge perhaps too easily, which caused the midfielder to tell him to find his feet again quickly and Blues fans to reel off a few rounds of “Diego, Diego”.

An incident and noise-filled beginning next featured Alonso steaming down the left and when he drew a free-kick Chelsea made the most of the opportunity. This was as soft as goals come. From an acute angle about 30 yards out, Willian struck the ball cleanly but Lee Grant should not have allowed it to squeeze past him at his near right post. He did, though, to cue a Chelsea celebration and some despairing Stoke navel-gazing regarding how, precisely, they were 1-0 behind.

On 32 minutes Stoke started a fight-back. Marko Arnautovic collected a free-kick and his cross claimed a corner. From here the contest took a controversial turn. Bruno Martins Indi finished Cameron’s header-on but, after consultation with an assistant, Taylor ruled the strike out for Saido Berahino either pushing César Azpilicueta or for being in an offside position that interfered with play.

The next incident was the Stoke goal for which Cahill was culpable. Erik Pieters launched a diagonal free-kick from the left into the area and the defender, for some, reason shoved Walters. Taylor pointed to the spot and that was 1-1.

Meanwhile the Costa-versus-Stoke sideshow continued in venomous manner, as a free-kick won by the Brazilian from a Shawcross challenge was followed by Phil Bardsley being shown a yellow card for taking him out. In the second half Costa was relatively becalmed, though he and Martins Indi continued to suggest each might boil over at any moment.

After Alonso crashed a free-kick off the bar, Stoke’s final threat was a late Arnautovic corner that Chelsea dealt with. Now came Cahill’s winner and the feeling they will continue to handle the pressure and claim a fifth Premier League title.

When Taylor blew for full time Bardsley had just been sent off, following a second booking, and Conte and his men greeted their fans’ jubilant singing of “We’re going to win the league” as if they, too, now firmly believe it. As Conte added: “To have a 10-points gap, 13 at the moment [is good], but I like to think our opponents will win tomorrow. We have to look at ourselves. We are happy. We must be ready to fight, today we were ready.”

Hughes has no doubt. “It is Chelsea’s title now,” he said.

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Independent:

Gary Cahill atones for his earlier error by scoring late on against Stoke as Chelsea snatch all three points

Stoke City 1 Chelsea 2: Cahill gave away a penalty earlier in the match but gained redemption when he swept in a late goal after Stoke failed to clear Willian's corner

Tim Rich

There was, said Mark Hughes, no doubt in his mind that Chelsea would win the title. His only job as Stoke manager was to delay his former club’s coronation.

The roadblock held until five minutes from the end and if it is a sign of champions that they score in unexpected ways through unexpected players, then Chelsea fit the blueprint exactly. The scoreline was jammed at 1-1, time was drifting away and a point at Stoke, who had lost one league match here since September, would have been a good afternoon’s work from Antonio Conte’s men.

Then David Luiz met Willian’s corner with a soft header that Erik Pieters countered with a soft, scuffed clearance that Gary Cahill drove into the Stoke net in front of the nearly 3,000 who had travelled to the Potteries to see Chelsea close in on their sixth title. It had been Cahill’s error that had given Stoke the penalty that should have cost Chelsea two points. Here, as so often in football, was redemption.

Chelsea’s supporters would return to their homes across the South East with their team 13 points clear with 10 matches remaining. Tottenham, their nearest challengers may have a game in hand but it is a fig-leaf.

When Conte led his team past their supporters after the final whistle, he punched the air with both fists and shouted encouragement.  If the Premier League is a marathon, then Chelsea can see the stadium and there is no other athlete in sight.

When Chelsea went ahead before a quarter of an hour was up, it appeared this might be a very straightforward afternoon. The goal sprang from a free-kick from Willian and some very forgettable goalkeeping from Lee Grant.

A foul on Marcos Alonso had given Chelsea a free-kick on the left-hand edge of the area and when Willian curled it to the near post, Grant almost pushed it into his own net. Midway through the first half, Grant saved when Alonso had been put through, which was a clearer indication of his ability.

He produced another around a quarter of an hour from the finish as Pedro Rodriguez sent a shot flashing towards goal. Just before, after Erik Pieters had fouled Pedro, there was another free kick that Alonso curled on to the crossbar. This time Grant was absolutely helpless.

From the moment Willian scored, the afternoon should have been reasonably straightforward but with every minute that passed, it became uglier and scrappier. Stoke had one equaliser disallowed for a push and then were awarded a penalty for another.

Both decisions were correct. When Bruno Martins Indi’s header struck the back of the net, the referee, Anthony Taylor, appeared inclined to award the goal but he was called over by his assistant who pointed out that in the build-up to the move Cesar Azpilicueta had been bundled over by Saido Berahino.

Moments later, there was another push, this time by Cahill on Jonathan Walters. This time the result was a penalty which Walters took himself. The striker stood, hands on hips, steadied himself for a moment and then drove his shot into the roof of Thibaut Courtois’s net.

If the main event was Stoke versus Chelsea then the sideshow was Diego Costa against the world. The man who has cast himself as the Premier League’s arch villain, appeared affronted by everything he encountered in the Potteries. He flounced, he gestured wildly, he was booked for dissent after tangling with Martins Indi, he played up to every preconceived image of him. You could have had a sweepstake during the interval as to what minute Costa would be dismissed.

One side did finish with 10 men but it was Stoke as Phil Bardsley was dismissed for a second bookable offence, wildly tackling Cesc Fabregas in stoppage time.

And yet in many ways Costa was more sinned against than sinning. Ryan Shawcross and Bardsley in particular targeted him and one high tackle from the latter could have done him serious damage.

Conte might have been tempted to withdraw Costa during the interval but he reappeared and appeared much calmer. He had a better game than Berahino, a centre-forward whose protracted transfer from West Bromwich Albion was supposed to have dragged Stoke to another level. He has yet to score a goal.


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Mail:

Stoke 1-2 Chelsea: Gary Cahill's late strike snatches victory to fire Antonio Conte's men 13 points clear

By Joe Bernstein for The Mail on Sunday

None of Antonio Conte's 28 victories as Chelsea manager will have given him more pleasure than this one.

Stoke gave his team an almighty physical examination that they passed like champions, captain Gary Cahill making amends for conceding a penalty by lashing home the 87th-minute winner.

As a result, Chelsea are 13 points clear at the top of the table— unlucky for everyone else — and Conte hugged each of his players at the end while the travelling support chanted 'We're going to win the League'.

Diego Costa deserved special praise for resisting the provocation that came his way. Despite an early caution, he stayed on the field but Stoke's Phil Bardsley did not, sent off in injury-time for a kick on Pedro when already booked.

Chelsea look like one of those complete sides who can out-football teams at times but also stand up and scrap when they have to. And it was all orchestrated by their Duracell Italian manager who found a way to win without the injured Eden Hazard and celebrated Cahill's winner by swinging by his arms on the top of the dug-out. Cahill said afterwards: 'When you make a mistake, although I felt it was a soft penalty, you want to make it right somehow so I am delighted to get the goal.

'Me and the team have shown character time and time again this season. It was exactly how we expected the game, it was going to be tough. We kept trying to play, we didn't want to get sucked into a battle which would have probably favoured them. The manager kept telling us to play our football.'

Conte loosened up when asked about the title with Chelsea entering their final 10 matches.

'For sure, this was an important win because it was against a strong team in a stadium with a great atmosphere. Very hot, molto caldo, we say in Italy!'

The Londoners have won their last five in all competitions and are unbeaten in 12. Even if Spurs or Manchester City reduce the gap to 10 by winning on Sunday, it seems impossible Chelsea will be caught. The bookies don't think so, making them 25-1 ON favourites.

Despite Hazard's absence with a minor muscular complaint, it seemed business as usual after 13 minutes when Marko Arnautovic fouled overlapping wing-back Marcos Alonso. With players queuing up in the middle for a cross, Willian drilled his free-kick to the near post with such venom that goalkeeper Lee Grant fisted the ball down into the ground and it span in. What followed were physical battles all over the pitch.

David Luiz was dazed in a clash of heads with Jonathan Walters and later winded by Saido Berahino, Bardsley booked for a nasty kick on Costa's knee and the Chelsea striker also cautioned for fending off Bruno Martins Indi with his forearm.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes denied Stoke had targeted Costa. 'He probably targeted us,' he quipped.

Stoke had a goal ruled out through Indi Martins because of a Berahino push on Cesar Azpilicueta on the other side of the six-yard box, but it was only a temporary stay of execution for Chelsea.

After 38 minutes, Walters dashed goalside of the defence to try and meet an Erik Pieters free-kick and Cahill gave him a nudge in the back that invited the Irishman to fall. Walters grabbed the ball and smashed his penalty into the roof of the net.

Costa spent the rest of the half chuntering his displeasure but Conte must have had a few wise words for him at half-time because he was far more focused after that despite repeated digs from Ryan Shawcross.

'It's normal for teams to try and make a player angry so he is ready to commit another foul,' said Conte. 'But the great news is Diego is showing great discipline. Honestly, I have to be pleased with his discipline.'

Chelsea had the better second-half chances, with Conte switching to a flat back four in the final 20 minutes in a bid to secure maximum points.

Luiz nearly caught out Grant with a free-kick that bounced off the goalkeeper's chest and Alonso hit the crossbar with a curling free-kick. Even Pedro was getting stuck in physically as Chelsea thrived on the challenge. Then with three minutes left, Luiz won a header at a corner and when Pieters cleared weakly to Cahill, the defender thumped his finish into the roof of the net.

Chelsea celebrated as if they had won the League, as they surely have now. Ruben Loftus-Cheek nearly added a third, denied by Grant, before Bardsley was dismissed for his swipe at Pedro.

Naturally, Hughes was disappointed at coming so close to another creditable point, having drawn at Manchester City in their previous game.

'When you get to that stage of the game, it's hard to take,' he said. 'Chelsea would have been more than pleased with the draw. You saw by their reaction how delighted they were to win.'

He also felt a couple of decisions went Chelsea's way: 'Cahill might have been fortunate to stay on the pitch for the penalty as he was last man. For our goal that was chalked off, there was a little push from Saido but he (Azpilicueta) would never have got near the ball.'


Stoke City (4-1-3-2): Grant 6; Bardsley 5.5, Martins Indi 7, Shawcross 6, Pieters 7; Cameron 6; Arnautovic 6, Allen 6.5, Sobhi 6 (Crouch 90); Berahino 5.5,(Diouf 61 6), Walters 7.5

Subs unused: Given (Gk), Muniesa, Whelan, Afellay, Adam

Goal: Walters pen 38

Booked: Allen, Bardsley, Martins Indi, Pieters

Sent off: Bardsley

Chelsea (3-4-3): Courtois 6.5; Azpilucueta 7, Luiz 7, Cahill 6; Moses 6 (Fabregas 70 6), Kante 8, Matic 6 (Loftus-Cheek 82), Alonso 8.5; Willian 6 (Zouma 88), Costa 7.5, Pedro 7.5

Subs unused: Begovic (Gk), Ake, Batshuayi, Chalobah

Goal: Willian 13, Cahill 87

Booked: Costa, Fabregas

Referee: Anthony Taylor 6.5

Attendance: 27,724

==================================

Sun:

CAHILL MAKES AMENDS Stoke 1 Chelsea 2: Gary Cahill fired in a late winner to sink the Potters after conceding a first-half penalty

Blues took an early lead through Willian's cheeky free-kick but Jonathan Walters scored from the spot to equalise for Stoke

By Graeme Bryce and George Boulton

CHELSEA’S rampant pursuit of the Premier League title continues after Gary Cahill scored a later winner as the Blues recorded a fifth consecutive win.

Willian gave the Blues the lead in the 13th minute after he sneaked in cheeky free-kick from a crossing position into the near post.

The Potters then hit back before half time with Jonathan Walters blasting home a penalty after he was pushed over in the box by Cahill.

Keep up to date with ALL the Stoke and Chelsea news, gossip, transfers and goals on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary

But moments before their equaliser, Stoke had the ball in the back of the net through Bruno Martins Indi but the goal was disallowed after Saido Berahino pushed Cesar Azpilicueta.

Diego Costa picked up an early booking for dissent and in a bid to spark a reaction from the striker, Stoke players targeted Costa to try and get him sent off.

Marcos Alonso struck the woodwork on the hour mark with a free-kick, after guiding his effort over the wall, only for the ball to bounce off the bar.

Chelsea finally found a break through in the 87th minute as David Luiz’s header from a corner was blocked, only for Cahill to smash home the loose ball.

Bardsley also saw red in the dying seconds of the game after picking up his second booking for a bad challenge on Cesc Fabregas.


FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS

Pedro drew first blood BEFORE the game started when he accidentally whacked a wayward ball into the crowd during the warm-up, smacking a woman Chelsea supporter on the nose, causing it to bleed.

The concerned Spaniard gallantly presented her with a Chelsea shirt as way of an apology – one of the rare times this season when Chelsea have suffered a bloody nose!

Mark Hughes meanwhile played the perfect host with some kind words for the visitors in his programme notes. “I’ve no doubts whatsoever that my old club Chelsea will go on to be crowned champions in May,” wrote Sparky.

His players were a lot less hospitable however and Geoff Cameron, Bruno Martins-Indi and Erik Pieters formed a tag-team to ‘rattle,’ Diego Costa with three meaty challenges inside 16 minutes – which became a bit of a theme for the day thereafter!

Surprisingly it took Costa 17 minutes to take the bait and earn the game’s first booking for dissent. The Chelsea striker threatened to boil over almost from kick-off and Antonio Conte was going to have a keep a close watch on his hot-headed hitman, with a view to getting him out of harm’s way if things got out of hand.

On the plus side for Conte, Chelsea were already a goal to the good by then! Lee Grant treated Willian’s whipped in free-kick like a greased-up-piglet – letting the forward’s speculative effort squirm off his gloves and under his body

The bet365 Stadium was no place for the faint-hearted as bodies piled up faster than an episode of Casualty. A bad clash of heads between Walters and David Luiz left the Brazilian defender flattened.

Stoke thought they had drawn level after 34 minutes when Geoff Cameron headed on Arnautovic’s corner and Martins Indi moved in to head past Courtois from six yards. However Saido Berahino had needlessly shoved Azplicueta over.

Ref Anthony Taylor appeared to award the goal at first until his eagle-eyed standside assistant Adam Nunn alerted him to Bera’s barge …. leaving Potters fans to moan at how ‘Blue’ Nunn had left a bad taste in the mouth!

However they were happier after 37 minutes when Taylor awarded them a penalty after Cahill needlessly shoved Jon Walters over following an Arnautovic free kick – and Walters smashed his spot kick high into the roof of Chelsea’s net.

Chelsea accused Manchester United of targeting Eden Hazard for rough stuff during the week – here it was Diego Costa who was singled out as Phil Bardsley became the latest Potter to target him, raking his studs down his calf.

The Scotland international was fortunate ref Anthony Taylor only deemed it a booking when Bardsley could easily have seen red for a really cynical foul.

Lee Grant in Stoke’s goal had clearly looked out the Teflon gloves for today as a 45 YARD free kick from David Luiz almost caught him unawares, bouncing off his chest.

However the ‘keeper redeemed himself with a fine one-handed save to deny Pedro after 76 minutes.


Stoke: Grant; Bardsley 4, Shawcross 6, M. Indi 6, Pieters 6; Sobhi 6 (Crouch 92, 6), Cameron 7, Allen 6, Arnautovic 6; Walters 7, Berahino 6 (Diouf 61, 6).

Unused subs: Given, Muniesa, Whelan, Afellay, Adam.

Goals: Walters

Chelsea: Courtois 5; Azpilicueta 6, Luiz 8, Cahill 7; Moses 6 ( Loftus-Cheek 6), Kante 8, Matic 7, Alonso 7; Willian 8 (Zouma 88, 6), Costa 6, Pedro 7.

Unused subs: Begovic, Ake, Chalobah, Batshuayi.

Goals: Willian, Cahill.


WHAT THEY SAID

Stoke boss Mark Hughes: "We are desperately disappointed we did not get anything out of the game. The ball dropped kindly for them and they got the winner.

"It was an evenly matched game and they had late opportunities when we went for a goal.

"It is Chelsea's title now and you could see from their celebrations we ran them close."


Chelsea defender Gary Cahill: "The manager told us to keep playing our football and wins are all that matter at this stage.

"We only had two Premier League games in this month. We managed to get the results and now we can sit back and watch tomorrow's games. There will be pressure.

"I have played in that situation where a team has won and you have to go out and get a result."


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Express;

Stoke 1 - Chelsea 2: Antonio Conte's men move 13 points clear of Tottenham

CHELSEA’S march towards the Premier League title continued as they extended their lead to 13 points thanks to Gary Cahill’s 87th-minute winner.

By MIKE CAREY

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte said: “Today was a great win, a good signal but it is important to continue with the same commitment and work rate.

“I am pleased for Gary. To score the winning goal is great for him and our team.”

It was a tough assignment in the Potteries, made all the more difficult due to Eden Hazard’s absence through injury.

Willian had given them the lead with a free-kick only for Stoke to draw level through Jonathan Walters’ penalty in a fiery contest that featured Diego Costa as its chief antagonist, though it was Phil Bardsley who saw red in stoppage time.

Costa clashed with Ryan Shawcross, Geoff Cameron and Bruno Martins Indi but got short shrift from referee Anthony Taylor.

The man in the middle was rightly interested when Marcos Alonso was bundled over by Marko Arnautovic.

It looked like the perfect opportunity to deliver a cross, but Willian had other ideas and whipped his free-kick around the two-man wall and past Lee Grant, who should have done better than to just help the shot on its way in.

Not even that could improve Costa’s demeanour, though.

He threw himself to the ground once more and popped up to rant at Taylor when he didn’t get a free-kick, earning a caution for dissent in the process.

Grant prevented it from becoming 2-0 by parrying Alonso’s effort and Stoke thought they had levelled in the 34th minute when Joe Allen’s corner was headed on by Cameron and then into the net by Martins Indi.

But the assistant’s flag went up possibly for offside against Saido Berahino, who could also have been punished for a push on Pedro.

Whatever the reason, the goal didn’t stand. And Stoke benefited from a contentious call three minutes later when they were given a penalty as Walters went to ground having been nudged by Cahill.

The decision could have been construed as soft but the spot-kick was not as Walters lashed it home.

Pedro blazed over a good chance to restore the lead before Bardsley clattered into Costa to be booked in the final stages of a tempestuous half.

A 15-minute cooling off period eased the tension and Chelsea started the second half brighter, with Alonso only stopped by a terrific Bardsley challenge and David Luiz’s 40-yard free-kick almost catching Grant out.

The Stoke keeper looked uncomfortable at set-piece situations, although there was little he could do but be thankful Alonso’s 25-yard effort struck the crossbar.

Grant was up to the task when called on next as he made a brilliant one-handed stop to deny Pedro once he had been slipped in by Willian.

It was far from relentless from the leaders but when the opportunity to win it fell to Cahill, he took it.

Erik Pieters conceded a needless corner with a poor back-pass to Grant and the Dutchman’s clearance came to Cahill to fire home.

Costa struck a post after that yet he was a footnote in this game, even when the red card came out, with Bardsley the recipient for a second cautionable offence as he fouled Cesc Fabregas.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes said: “We are desperately disappointed we did not get anything out of the game. The ball dropped kindly for them and they got the winner.”

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Star:

Stoke 1 Chelsea 2: Antonio Conte's side march on as they go 13 points clear

ANTONIO CONTE’S Chelsea lost the inspirational Eden Hazard before kick-off – but it was the only thing they did lose.

By Paul Hetherington

Brazil’s Willian, who replaced calf-injury victim Hazard, was outstanding as the Belgian’s replacement and opened the scoring.

Stoke did equalise through a Jonathan Walters penalty but relentless Chelsea weren’t to be denied.

Three minutes from time, Stoke left-back Eric Pieters – under pressure from substitute Ruben Loftus-Cheek – conceded a corner.

Pieters then failed to clear David Luiz’s header from Willian’s delivery and captain Gary Cahill lashed home the winner.

That extended Chelsea’s lead at the top to 13 points and they have won their last five league and cup games.

Quite simply, there is no stopping them.

Stoke went into battle boosted by their 0-0 draw at Manchester City – another of the Premier League’s big boys – in their last match.

That was their second successive clean sheet, after a 2-0 win against Middlesbrough, following their 4-0 hammering at Tottenham.

But the Potters were soon back to conceding against the league leaders.

Marko Arnautovic conceded a free kick on the left when he fouled Chelsea wing-back Marcos Alonso.

Willian deliberately drove the set-piece to the gap left by Stoke keeper Lee Grant at his near post.

Grant was slow to react and when he did dive could only help the ball into the net.

The Stoke keeper, however, prevented Chelsea increasing their lead in the 29th minute.

A patiently-worked free kick move led to Pedro delicately chipping the ball into the path of Alonso, whose full-blooded drive was beaten out by Grant.

Stoke were furious when Bruno Martins Indi headed in, only for the goal to be disallowed for a push on Cesar Azpilicueta by Saido Berahino.

But another pushing offence brought Stoke a penalty – and an equaliser – in the 37th minute.

Cahill was penalised for his push on Walters, who drove home the spot-kick. And when Chelsea tried to quickly regain the lead, Pedro shot over after cleverly creating space for himself.

It was a match in which Diego Costa, booked in the 17th minute for dissent, was constantly at war with the Stoke defence.

That prompted Stoke boss Mark Hughes to say: “I played in that position and he’s an outstanding striker.

“But some of the things he does are not necessary. He went over too easily but maybe he needs that element to his play to bring out the best in him.

“I don’t think it would be right to say we targeted him, it was more a case of him targeting us.

“Overall, I thought we’d done enough to get a point and I think Chelsea would have been more than pleased with a draw, too.

“But the goals we conceded were disappointing and you could argue that Cahill should have had a red card as the last defender when he conceded the penalty.”

Potters right-back Phil Bardsley – later sent off – was eventually booked for a bad challenge on Costa.

Chelsea generally controlled the second half and were out of luck in the 65th minute, when Alonso hit struck a superb free-kick against the bar.

With N’Golo Kante again influential in midfield, Stoke had to work hard to contain the champions-elect.

Grant also had to save well to deny Pedro as he attempted to atone for his mistake when Chelsea took the lead.

But Chelsea weren’t to be denied and Cahill had the final say three minutes from time.

That, though, wasn’t the end of the action. There was still time for Costa to hit the post and Grant to save from Loftus-Cheek.

And Bardsley was sent off in added time for a foul on Cesc Fabregas - his second bookable offence.

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Mirror:

Stoke City 1-2 Chelsea: Gary Cahill's late winner sends Blues 13 points clear at the top

Willian opened the scoring early on, Jonathan Walters levelled from the penalty spot and Gary Cahill won it late on

BY DAVID ANDERSON

Gary Cahill scored a late winner to edge Chelsea ever closer to the title.

Chelsea looked like they would have to be content with a point from this fiery clash at the bet365 Stadium before skipper Cahill struck five minutes from time, to leave boss Antonio Conte swinging from his dug-out in joy.

Chelsea opened the scoring when Willian deceived Lee Grant from a free-kick after 13 minutes.

Stoke levelled when Cahill pushed Jonathan Walters in the back to concede a penalty, which the Potters striker fired home on 38 minutes.

Diego Costa was at the centre of controversy and the Chelsea striker was unhappy with some of the treatment dished out by Stoke and Phil Bardsley was booked for kicking him.

Costa was also cautioned for dissent by Anthony Taylor and he went close to losing his cool repeatedly.

Our man David Anderson was at the game, here are five things he learned...

1. Diego Costa needs to calm down

Playing on the edge is all part of Costa's game, but he let himself be wound up too easily. The Stoke fans booed his every touch and he was soon throwing himself to the ground every time Bruno Martins Indi challenged him. This annoyed Stoke and their supporters even more and Phil Bardsley clobbered him to earn himself a yellow card. Costa contributed little to Chelsea with the red mist down and was booked for dissent for letting rip at referee Anthony Taylor.

2. Willian is Chelsea's unsung hero

Much is made of the likes of Diego Costa, N'Golo Kante and Eden Hazard, but Willian is also a class act. He proved it against Stoke by opening the scoring on 13 minutes with a cheeky free-kick, which totally deceived Stoke goalkeeper Lee Grant. It was Willian's sixth Premier League goal of the season to make this campaign his best-ever in front of goal.

3. Lee Grant won't want to see his effort at saving Willian's free-kick again

Grant has had a fine season for Stoke, helping to plug the gap left by Jack Butland's persistent ankle problems. But the former Derby stopper was badly at fault for Willian's opener. He was slow to react and could only push the ball into the back of the net in a comedy moment, which would have embarrassed a Sunday League goalkeeper. To his credit, he did not let his howler affect him and made a fine save from Marcos Alonso.

4. Gary Cahill had a mixed afternoon in his bid for the England captaincy

The Three Lions' skipper's armband is up for grabs after Gareth Southgate left out Wayne Rooney from his squad. Deputy Jordan Henderson, who skippered the side earlier this season, is also out crocked, leaving Southgate to pick a new captain. Cahill should be a strong contender and the Chelsea skipper has bags of experience. But he did not show it when he pushed Jonathan Walters in the back to concede the penalty for Stoke's equaliser. However he redeemed himself when he stabbed home Chelsea's late winner.

5. It's not happening for Saido Berahino

Mark Hughes took a big gamble when he paid West Brom £12million for Berahino, despite his lack of game time over the last 18 months. He has made Berahino his No 1 striker, but the former England Under-21 star has yet to repay his faith in him. He was disappointing against Chelsea and his most significant contribution before being replaced just after the hour mark, was to push Nemanja Matic to have Bruno Martins Indi's header disallowed.


PLAYER RATINGS

Stoke City

Grant 5 Howler for Willian's goal before he partially redeemed himself.

Bardsley 5 Sent off. Kicked Costa and was dismissed for two bookings.

Shawcross 6 Distribution was shaky, but was commanding in the air.

Martins Indi 7 Booked. Had a great battle with Costa and had a goal disallowed.

Pieters 5 Booked. Errant service, but delivered the ball which led to Stoke's penalty.

Arnautovic 5 Often too deep and fouled Alonso for Willian's free-kick.

Allen 6 Booked. Good on the ball and tenacious in the tackle.

Cameron 7 Booked. Fared well in the midfield battle with Kane and Matic.

Ramadan 6 One or two threatening moments down the left.

Walters 7 Won the penalty which he drilled home for Stoke's equaliser.

Berahino 4 Poor and pushed Matic to have Martins Indi's goal disallowed.

Subs: Diouf (Berahino 61mins) 6, Crouch (Ramadan 90+1mins).

Subs not used: Given, Muniesa, Whelan, Afellay, Adam.


Chelsea

Courtois 6 Kicked well and could do nothing about Walters' penalty.

Azpilicueta 6 Helped see off Berahino and was solid in defence.

Luiz 6 Nearly caught Grant out with a free-kick and was accomplished.

Cahill 7 Conceded a penalty before atoning with the winner.

Moses 6 Was a good outlet for Chelsea on the right wing.

Kante 6 Tidy in possession and protected his defence well.

Matic 6 Was quietly effective in midfield before being replaced.

Alonso 8 MOTM. Won the free-kick for Chelsea's goal and hit the bar.

Willian 8 Clever piece of thinking for his free-kick deceived Grant.

Costa 6 Let himself be wound up far too easily.

Pedro 7 Was a real threat for Chelsea and went close to scoring.

Subs: Fabregas (Moses 70mins) 6, Loftus-Cheek (Matic 82mins), Zouma
(Willian 87mins).


Subs not used: Begovic, Zouma, Ake, Batshuayi, Chalobah.

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Att: 27,724