Ashley Cole prevents Tony Pulis’s side from achieving a fifth draw in a row in this complicated start of the Premier League schedule with a hurtful defeat after a 85th minute goal. The left back hadn’t scored for Chelsea since May 2010.

Di Matteo presented an illusionist axis with Hazard-Oscar-Mata with Torres upfront, but it didn’t make the expected effect for the blues. Tony Pulis pupil’s, with their characteristic skills, repelled every attack in the first 45 minutes. With Kightly performing at an extraordinary level and N'Zonzi and Walters always giving extra support to their defense, the goal was utopia for Chelsea.

Instead it was Stoke City who created the few chances at the first half, highlighting a header from Jonathan Walters that hit the crossbar prowling the 20th minute. Chelsea had their opportunity with a magnificent chip pass from Mata to Torres who didn’t manage to contact with the ball.

Into the second half, Chelsea came out decided to give Stamford Bridge something to cheer about, and it was Oscar who monopolized Chelsea’s attacking options with a few good shots from outside the box. A series of dangerous opportunities with half an hour to go represented the most hazardous stages of the match for Begovic.

As the game went back and forth, Stoke had their opportunity in the counterattack, after a nice combination orchestrated by Walters and extended by Jones, Etherington had the chance to score for Stoke in the 78 minute but the ball went just wide.

With only five minutes to go, a delivery from the right wing permitted Mata to execute a delightful back-heel for Ashley Cole inside the box who stylishly finished with a chip over Begovic’s body.

This way, Di Matteo’s squad managed to drill putter’s defense after controlling a big part of the match without causing problems to Stoke’s goalkeeper. Thus extended Stoke’s 38 year streak without a victory at Stamford Bridge leaving them with a bitter taste.

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About the author
Francis Marín Brady
Licenciado en Periodismo por la Universidad de Málaga. Máster en comunicación y Periodismo deportivo Universidad Europea de Madrid - Escuela de estudios universitarios Real Madrid. TELECINCO, AS, VAVEL.