Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining
Sports Mole for today's Premier League clash between
Stoke City and champions Chelsea at the bet365 Stadium!
Ten places and five points separate these two sides in the table after five games of the season, with Stoke entering this match in poor form while Chelsea have overcome something of a false start to put themselves amongst the early front-runners - only the two Manchester clubs are above them in the table at the start of the weekend.
Before we take a closer look at all that, though, let's first check out the team news!
STOKE STARTING XI: Butland; Johnson, Martins Indi, Pieters; Diouf, Fletcher, Allen, Ramadan; Shaqiri, Choupo-Moting; Jese
STOKE SUBS: Grant; Berahino, Tymon, Afellay, Adam, Crouch, Souttar
CHELSEA STARTING XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Bakayoko, Kante, Alonso; Willian, Morata,
Pedro
CHELSEA SUBS: Caballero, Cahill, Zappacosta, Fabregas, Musonda, Hazard, Batshuayi
We'll have a more in-depth look at both of those teams a little later, but for Stoke this is a big test today as they look to overcome some poor recent form and claim a big scalp in the process.
You can be sure that Stoke won't be daunted by the prospect of the champions visiting the bet365 Stadium, but with injury problems mixed in with their recent run of results - which has seen them go four games without winning across all competitions - they head into this match as underdogs.
Stoke's poor form includes two particularly disappointing results in the space of a week, losing to Newcastle United in their most recent Premier League outing before being dumped out of the EFL Cup at the hands of Championship side Bristol City on Tuesday.
Not many will be expecting the Potters to be embroiled in a relegation battle this season, nor are they likely to challenge for a European place, so a good cup run could have been valuable for the club this season. They will now be forced to wait for the FA Cup, though, having seen their EFL Cup campaign ended in just the third round.
The Potters have neither lost three matches in a row nor gone five games without winning since April, but their record in the Premier League stretching back to last season does not suggest that they will be able to avoid either fate this afternoon.
Mark Hughes's side have won just three of their last 16 outings in the league, losing half of those games and drawing five in a run which stretches back to March. Again, they do enough to keep themselves at arm's length of trouble, but last season was a step in the wrong direction for them and Hughes will be desperate to arrest that slide sooner rather than later.
Stoke are notoriously slow starters and, while they have begun the current campaign better than they did last season, their record in September still leaves a lot to be desired.
The Potters have taken just two points from the 15 on offer in the month of September, drawing two games and losing three in that time. Looking even further back they have won just one of their last eight and two of their last 14 Premier League fixtures in September, so victory over the champions would be a significant shock today.
Having said that, Stoke have a very respectable record against Premier League champions in recent years, losing just once in their past seven top-flight home games against the team that lifted the trophy the previous season. Four of those games have ended in draws, but Stoke have won on two occasions and there are plenty of traditionally bigger sides who would not be able to match that record.
Mark Hughes has worked to evolve Stoke's reputation during his time in charge, but this still remains a difficult place to come for the big teams especially.
A couple of the big teams have already found that out to their cost this season, with Arsenal falling to a 1-0 defeat and Manchester United held to a 2-2 draw - the only points Jose Mourinho's side have dropped so far this season.
That victory over Arsenal is Stoke's only win in their last 10 home Premier League games against one of last season's top six, but they rarely make it easy for the visitors and so far this season are yet to taste defeat in front of their own fans. The four points against Arsenal and Manchester United will have delighted Hughes, and anything on top of that today will be another bonus.
It has been a difficult start to the season for Stoke, then, and including this afternoon they will have faced four of last season's top eight in their opening six Premier League games this season, with Manchester City on the horizon too.
The Potters' rather slow start to the season is somewhat understandable, then, but another defeat here could see Stoke end the day in the relegation zone, and Hughes does not have a particularly encouraging record against Chelsea. This will be his 24th meeting with his former club as a Premier League manager, during which time he has lost 15 times and conceded 43 goals - both higher tallies than against any other club.
Chelsea appear to have the hoodoo over Hughes, then, and
Antonio Conte will know that any dropped points here could leave them five or six adrift of the Manchester clubs - who are also both in action during the 3pm kickoffs.
It is, of course, still too early in the season to draw too many conclusions from the table, but the Manchester clubs have started so strongly that none of the chasing pack will want to fall too far behind in the opening months. A six-point gap by September would be quite a significant one for Chelsea to make up, although they would have time.
The Blues' title defence got off to a nightmare start when they found themselves 3-0 down at home to Burnley on the opening day having seen Gary Cahill sent off early on, but they fought back in a losing effort during the second half of that match and have since returned to something approaching the form which saw them storm to the title last season.
Chelsea come into today's match having won five and drawn one of their six games in all competitions since the defeat to Burnley, a run of form which has seen them climb up to third in the Premier League table.
Chelsea also progressed into the last 16 of the EFL Cup in midweek courtesy of a 5-1 thrashing of Championship side Nottingham Forest, with Michy Batshuayi helping himself to a hat-trick in that match as Chelsea showcased some impressive depth which should help them with the added rigours of European football this season.
Speaking of Europe, this is the beginning of a huge week for Conte's side, who take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday - having just agreed a deal to send Diego Costa back there, of course - before facing Manchester City next weekend.
Chelsea come into today's match having won nine of their last 11 Premier League games and lost just three of their last 23, with 17 victories in that time.
One more point this afternoon would see them breach the 1,800 point mark in the Premier League, becoming only the third team to do that after Arsenal (1,829) and Manchester United (2,034). More importantly, though, it could see them move level on points with the Manchester clubs should City and United slip up in their 3pm matches against Crystal Palace and Southampton respectively.
The Blues have won seven of their last eight away games in the Premier League, scoring at least two goals in six of those wins - including both of their trips this season. Conte's side have not been handed an easy start to life on the road this term either, facing Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City so far and coming out on top by a 2-1 scoreline on both occasions.
Another victory today would see them win their opening three Premier League away games in a season for the first time since 2009, when the third triumph in that run was a 2-1 victory at Stoke.
Only the Manchester clubs and Liverpool have scored more goals than Chelsea so far this season, and that doesn't even include the 11 they scored in their two matches outside the Premier League this term - thrashing Qarabag in the Champions League and Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup.
The biggest issue for Conte right now is the discipline of his side, though. David Luiz was sent off during last weekend's stalemate with Arsenal, leaving Chelsea finishing a game against the Gunners with 10 men for the third time in a row as they failed to score at home under the Italian for the first time.
Chelsea have now been shown three red cards in their last five Premier League games, which is as many as they had received in their previous 73 before that. Aside from hurting their chances in the matches themselves, Chelsea have also been without key players through suspension this season and a failure to improve that record will surely have a negative impact on their title hopes.
Chelsea have also committed a league-high 68 fouls in the Premier League so far this season, so Conte is clearly looking for his side to make their marks on games and opponents. Maybe Messrs Terry and Costa were the nice guys after all...
Right, let's have a look at that team news, shall we?
The main issue for Stoke heading into today's game was a crisis at centre-back, with Zouma ineligible to play against his parent club and Cameron, Shawcross and Wimmer all sidelined through injury. Hughes's answer to the problem is to switch to three at the back, with Johnson and Pieters filling in alongside Martins Indi.
That change allows Ramadan Sobhi to come back into the side having missed last weekend's defeat to Newcastle, with the winger expected to play as a left wing-back this afternoon while Pieters drops into a more defensive role.
There are no other changes for the Potters, though, with Johnson and Sobhi the only new faces.
In the attacking areas, Stoke will be looking for Jese Rodriguez to hurt Chelsea first and foremost, but it is the pair playing slightly behind him who have been the most impressive attackers for Stoke this season.
Shaqiri's last six Premier League goals have all come from outside the area, so he will be a threat from range, while Choupo-Moting's brace against Manchester United proved that he also has an eye for goal. Together they have created nine goalscoring opportunities for each other this season - second to only the Eriksen and Kane partnership in the Premier League.
There is plenty of experience in the Stoke midfield, which they may well need today. Allen and Fletcher will be patrolling the middle of the park and, while neither are exactly prolific goalscorers from midfield, they are both capable of picking a pass and protecting their own defenders - which may be the main priority here.
The Chelsea team news is a little more interesting, not least because Eden Hazard is once again forced to wait for his first Premier League start of the season.
The Belgian was expected to be named in the starting XI this afternoon having started the EFL Cup win over Nottingham Forest in midweek, but despite having three sub appearances in addition to that, Conte does not believe that he is fit enough to start just yet.
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Hazard is on the bench alongside Michy Batshuayi despite his hat-trick in midweek, as
Alvaro Morata again gets the nod to lead the line.
The Spaniard has scored three Premier League goals and registered two assists since joining Chelsea, and curiously all of those have come with his head. Stoke are, of course, a physical team, but with a makeshift centre-back unit today Morata may fancy his chances of getting some joy in the air again today.
At the other end of the pitch, captain Gary Cahill is left on the bench this afternoon as Conte keeps faith with Christensen and Rudiger following their performances in midweek.
Luiz is, of course, suspended following his red card against Arsenal last weekend, but Azpilicueta does come back into the team and will wear the armband in the absence of Cahill.
In midfield, Tiemoue Bakayoko starts in place of Fabregas despite being involved in a minor car accident during the week, and the summer arrival will need to perform if he is to continue to hold off competition from Fabregas. The Spaniard has provided seven Premier League assists against Stoke during his time - second only to Tottenham Hotspur in his personal tally.
Elsewhere, Pedro has overcome a leg injury to start alongside Willian and Morata in that front three.
PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff at the bet365 Stadium, which means that it is time for a prediction!
Stoke have had some good results against the big teams to have visited here so far this season, and they will be hopeful of coming away from this one with at least another point too. Chelsea still go into the game as favourites, though, and considering Stoke's injury problems I am backing an away win today.
Sports Mole says: Stoke 0-2 Chelsea
Cahill may be on the bench this afternoon, but he was the hero on Chelsea's most recent visit to this stadium, scoring an 87th-minute winner to rescue all three points for Conte's side in March.
Jonathan Walters had earlier cancelled out Willian's opener from the spot, but Cahill ensured that Chelsea left with maximum points on their way to the Premier League title.
Stoke have only ever won two of their 18 Premier League matches against Chelsea, although both of those victories have come in front of their own fans - running out 3-2 winners in December 2013 and 1-0 winners in November 2015.
Thirteen of their 18 meetings have ended in defeat, though, which is their worst record against any team in the competition.
Across all competitions Chelsea have lost just three of their last 22 meetings with the Potters, and things were a little more straightforward for them in the reverse fixture last season.
Cahill and Willian (2) were both on the scoresheet once again on that occasion, with Costa also helping himself to a goal as Chelsea ran out 4-2 winners. Martins Indi and Crouch got the goals for Chelsea.
Right, the players are out and we're almost ready to go here! A reminder of the team news before we get started...
STOKE STARTING XI: Butland; Johnson, Martins Indi, Pieters; Diouf, Fletcher, Allen, Ramadan; Shaqiri, Choupo-Moting; Jese
CHELSEA STARTING XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Bakayoko, Kante, Alonso; Willian, Morata, Pedro
KICKOFF: Stoke get us underway!
GOAL! Stoke 0-1 Chelsea (Alvaro Morata)
What a start for Chelsea! The champions take the lead in just the second minute, and it is far too easy for them as Stoke's makeshift defence is found wanting immediately in this game!
One ball from Azpilicueta beats all three defenders to send Morata clean through on goal, and the summer signing makes no mistake with a cool finish into the bottom corner.
this can so often be such a tough place to visit, but not when you give goals away that easily. That will take a lot of the pressure off Chelsea, and the onus will now be on Stoke to come out and be a bit adventurous.
Stoke look for a quick response and get into a good position as Diouf advances down the right channel, but his low pass into the area is cleared away by Azpilicueta. Diouf should have done better there!
This has been a good, lively start to the game with that early goal and a decent chance for Stoke already. Hopefully that continues!
Stoke are seeing plenty of the ball in these opening exchanges and have responded well to going behind. They are not the type of team that lets their heads drop despite such an early setback, and Hughes will be pleased with their reaction so far.
Chelsea, for their part, haven't been able to build on their bright early start and Stoke have arguably been the better side since falling behind.
The visitors still have that all-important lead, though.
We ran a poll on Twitter early this week which revealed that the majority of people would still rather Costa in their side than Morata. The new boy has now made a bad start, though!
Stoke are knocking on the Chelsea door at the moment and, while Courtois is yet to have a shot to save, the visitors are being forced to hang out a little right now.
UPDATE: The only other goal from the 3pm kickoff so far this afternoon as come at the Liberty Stadium, where Watford lead Swansea courtesy of an Andre Gray strike.
It's been better from Chelsea in the last few minutes as they begin to see a bit more of the ball. Interestingly, though, they seem to be playing a long-ball game today after it worked with the opening goal.
UPDATE: There has been another Premier League goal which may be of more interest to Chelsea - Manchester United have taken the lead against Southampton courtesy of yet another Romelu Lukaku goal.
We're more than a quarter of the way through this match now and Hughes will be pleased with everything he has seen apart from that opening goal. No clear chances to speak of for either side since then.
Willian makes some good headway down the right flank, latching on to a through-ball on the byline and standing up a cross into the middle which is cleared.
Chelsea's main joy at the moment seems to be coming down that right, but they are struggling to create anything of note. Stoke have probably been the better team so far.
GOAL! Stoke 0-2 Chelsea (Pedro)
Ah, the commentator's curse strikes again! Clinical stuff from Chelsea as they punish a mistake from Stoke, who find themselves two goals down despite playing fairly well so far.
The mistake comes from captain Fletcher of all people, who tries to chest the ball down to his defenders but only picks out Pedro. From there the Spaniard reaches the edge of the box before arrowing his finish into the bottom corner with unerring accuracy.
It is a long, long way back for Stoke now. They have been punished for two pieces of lax play, which goes to show the fine margins in the Premier League.
Stoke have a chance to respond quickly as Allen is fouled in a very dangerous position...
Shaqiri goes for goal, but the wall does its job and diverts the ball away from danger.
Chelsea have taken a greater degree of control over this game since that second goal and are knocking the ball about well now. The champions have been nowhere near their best, but they are showing good game management at the moment.
At the end of a patient passing move Kante tries to left a clever ball into the box for Pedro, but there is just a bit too much on it.
Very nearly a chance for Stoke as Shaqiri's corner causes all sorts of problems in the Chelsea area! The ball almost falls at the feet of Choupo-Moting, but he cannot react in time and Chelsea hack it clear.
There are goals throughout the Chelsea side, even if they are getting rid of Costa...
Important piece of defending from Rudiger as he concedes another corner after Alonso had misjudged the ball. Another chance for Shaqiri to put it into the box...
CHANCE! Relentless pressure from Stoke as they pepper the Chelsea box with crosses. The only sight of goal they are able to create is a spectacular bicycle kick from Diouf, though, and he fires it wide of the target.
Jese may have been in a better position to go for goal from that cross, but he didn't shout loud enough for Diouf to hear him.
There will be one minute of added time at the end of this first half.
HALF TIME: Stoke City 0-2 Chelsea
The first half comes to an end at the bet365 Stadium, then, and it is Chelsea who are in control of this contest at the interval.
The balance of play itself has been very even, with Stoke being the better side if anything, but the champions have been clinical - capitalising on two lapses in the Stoke defence - and that has proved to be the difference so far.
The opening goal arrived after just 80 seconds when Stoke's makeshift defence was found out of position on Chelsea's first attack, with Azpilicueta's long ball forward sending Morata clean through on goal.
From that point on it never looked in doubt that the Spaniard would finish it off, tucking his effort into the bottom corner for his first Premier League goal with his feet.
Stoke responded to that early setback really well, but they were unable to test Courtois and their lack of attacking penetration was punished on the half-hour mark when Chelsea added their second.
Again it was clinical from the champions as Fletcher's mistake gifted possession to Pedro, who immediately pounced on the loose ball before firing his finish into the bottom corner.
Aside from the two goals, there has been very little goalmouth action so far this afternoon, with a Diouf bicycle kick the closest we have come to another goal.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes will be fairly content with his team's all-round performance in that opening 45 minutes, but they need to offer more in the final third if they are to get anything out of this game.
KICKOFF: Chelsea get us back underway for the second half at the bet365 Stadium!
UPDATE: A quick update from elsewhere while this second half gets off to a slow start - Manchester City have joined United and Chelsea in the lead of their matches, with Leroy Sane breaking the deadlock against Crystal Palace before half time.
Elsewhere, Everton's season looks to be going from bad to worse as they have just fallen behind at home to Bournemouth.
YELLOW CARD! Shaqiri is the first name in the book this afternoon, although it looked like a harsh one.
Alonso goes down clutching his face following an aerial battle with Diouf, and after Stoke kick the ball out he gets back on his feet to the derision of the home fans.
YELLOW CARD! Not the best minute or so for Alonso - he goes into the book for a challenge on Allen moments after making himself the pantomime villain.
The Stoke fans are baying for blood here! Alonso is walking a tightrope and he goes flying into another challenge on Diouf here, but Mike Dean opts for leniency and the Spaniard escapes the red card the Stoke fans want.
It is the correct decision from the referee, but Alonso should not have given him the decision to make.
SHOT! The resulting free kick is only cleared as far as Allen, who lashes a first-time half-volley over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Those incidents involving Alonso have cranked up the volume inside the bet365 Stadium. Cahill, incidentally, was sent out to warm up immediately after the second Alonso challenge and may be brought on as Conte looks to avoid yet another red card.
YELLOW CARD! Mike Dean goes to his notebook again, and this time there are no complaints as Kante brings down Sobhi.
CHELSEA SUB: Alonso has made himself the most hated man in the Potteries with that one piece of play-acting. He is jeered off the field as Gary Cahill comes on in his place, which sees Azpilicueta move out to the left.
SAVE! Courtois is finally called into action today as he gathers Shaqiri's low and powerful strike from outside the area.
STOKE SUB: The hosts make a change just past the hour mark as Peter Crouch replaces Jese.
CHANCE! Half a chance for Stoke, who still look the most likely to get another goal here. Crouch climbs above Cahill in the box to nod the ball down towards the back post, where Diouf has stolen in behind Rudiger. The angle is against the Stoke man, though, and he cannot keep his shot down as he blazes it over the crossbar.
The Stoke fans are once again left frustrated with Mike Dean as Choupo-Moting goes down under the challenge on Cahill just inside the area. It was an awkward one from the defender, but it looks like a foul and a penalty to me!
This is not turning into a very pleasant afternoon for Chelsea, despite their two-goal lead. Courtois now looks to be in a bad way after coming to claim and high ball and being sent head over heels by Crouch. The keeper lands very heavily and doesn't move for a while.
Courtois is back on his feet and looks alright to continue here, despite perhaps still seeing some stars.
CHELSEA SUB: Chelsea do make a change, but it is not Courtois coming off. Instead, Pedro departs to be replaced by Cesc Fabregas.
Morata skips past Martins Indi and tears down the left flank before trying to cut back inside, but Martins Indi has tracked him all the way and steals the ball back off the striker.
Crucial challenge from Bakayoko! Shaqiri plays a lovely ball into the path of Allen, who for a moment looks as though he might have a clear chance, but Bakayoko gets a foot in at the last opportunity.
CHANCE! Huge chance for Stoke to get back into this game! It is Fletcher who has the opportunity to atone for his earlier area, but he gets his header all wrong, completely missing it as it hits his arms. That should have been 2-1!
CHELSEA SUB: Chelsea do have some serious firepower on their bench, and now they turn to Eden Hazard as he replaces Willian.
SAVE! Yet another free kick in a decent crossing position creates another chance for Stoke, but Courtois is able to pluck Choupo-Moting's header out of the air.
STOKE SUB: An attacking change from Hughes, and a very interesting one too. Martins Indi - the only recognised centre-back in this Stoke side - is replaced by Ibrahim Afellay.
That switch has seen Fletcher drop into the back three alongside Johnson and Pieters. Makeshift to say the least.
GOAL! Stoke 0-3 Chelsea (Alvaro Morata)
Game well and truly over as Chelsea dd their third, with Morata doubling his personal tally for the afternoon.
It is another error which costs Stoke as Johnson gives the ball away to Morata, who is suddenly left against just Fletcher in the Stoke half. The captain cannot live with Morata's pace as he takes him on down the channel before opening his body at the last second and beating Butland with a superb finish from a tight angle.
CHANCE! Almost a quickfire fourth for Chelsea as Hazard latches on to a pass from Moses into the area before playing a low ball across goal which is cut out by Johnson almost on his own line.
GOAL! Stoke 0-4 Chelsea (Alvaro Morata)
What a goal this is as Morata completes his hat-trick!
Hazard flicks the ball to Fabregas, who spots the run of Azpilicueta and picks it out with a lovely scooped pass into the area. From there, Azpilicueta coolly chests the ball into the path of Morata, who is left with a simple finish past Butland to give this scoreline an even more one-sided look.
A 4-0 win at the bet365 Stadium looks like a hugely impressive win for Chelsea, but the game itself has told a different story. This is a harsh scoreline for Stoke, who have actually been the better side for the majority of the game. Chelsea have been ruthless, though, and that is the difference.
CLOSE! Morata probably should have a fourth here as he latches on to Fabregas's pass over the top but fires his subsequent effort wide when he should have done better.
OFF THE LINE! Chelsea, finally, are showing their best form since that fourth goal. They are very close to a fifth here as Moses drills a low strike across goal which Morata smuggles towards goal. Johnson just about manages to prevent it from sneaking over the line, though.
YELLOW CARD! Crouch is a little fortunate to only see yellow for this one. He goes in high and late on Fabregas and could have easily been sent off for the challenge.
There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match.
FULL TIME: Stoke City 0-4 Chelsea
It is all over at the bet365 Stadium, then, and Stoke will be wondering just how they have found themselves on the end of a 4-0 defeat here.
The Potters played well for the most part - better than Chelsea, in fact - but the Blues were so clinical in front of goal and their first three strikes came as a result of Stoke errors. After that they did begin to dominate, but the final scoreline is very harsh on Stoke.
Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining
Sports Mole for today's match as a hat-trick from Alvaro Morata fires a clinical Chelsea past Stoke at the bet365 Stadium. I will leave you with our
match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
