Marko Arnautovic scored the only goal of the game to fire Stoke City to a 1-0 victory over Chelsea to increase the growing pressure on Coach Jose Mourinho at the Blues.
Stoke tried to catch the visitors out with an early attack as Xherdan Shaqiri unleashed an overhead kick less than a minute after kickoff, but the Swiss international’s finish did not trouble Asmir Begovic.
After a lengthy delay while Erik Pieters received treatment after a clash with Pedro, Chelsea started to dominate possession, but Ramires was unable to make the most of a cutback from Willian.
The Potters were the first to launch a serious threat on goal as Glen Johnson found space inside the box to rifle an effort towards the bottom corner, but his strike was saved by Begovic.
Chelsea rallied and almost went ahead when the ball fell into the path of Ramires on the edge of the box and he volleyed a strike towards the top corner, but Jack Butland tipped his strike over the bar.
Diego Costa had the best opportunity of the first half to fire the Blues in front when he was put through one-on-one with Butland, but the keeper denied the forward with good stop with his legs.
Stoke tried to keep the more at the start of the second half, resulting in Shaqiri attempting to play the ball through the middle, but they were unable to ask questions of Begovic in the opening moments.
The Potters got forward again just under 10 minutes after the restart though, with Johnson making the run forward before firing a looping cross in for Marko Arnautovic, leaving the striker to hit in on the volley, slicing it just inside the left post.
The visitors pressed for a quick equaliser down the other end, with Eden Hazard making the run forward, but the Belgian’s finishing touch was lacking.
Stoke could have doubled their advantage soon after though as Johnson tried his luck with a long-range effort, firing well high, before Shaqiri looked to set up Arnautovic for his second, but the goalscorer’s header was high.
Pedro came within inches of an equaliser when Pedro made a cut inside from the right flank and bent his effort towards the bottom corner, beating the hand of Butland, only to see his strike clatter off the post.
Chelsea continued to push forward in numbers and Cesc Fabregas unlocked the Stoke defence to play in Hazard down the left, but the Belgian’s shot was deflected just wide of the target.
Loic Remy almost found a way through Stoke when he took the ball past Butland, but stumbled as he tried to strike the ball.
There were claims for a penalty from the Chelsea bench, but the honesty of the Frenchman to stay on his feet made the decision simple for referee Anthony Taylor.
The Blues piled forward late in the game, but the Potters held out to secure three points at the Britannia Stadium.
EPL: Stoke sink Chelsea
