Eden Hazard’s brilliance won the contest for Chelsea but Charlie Adam walked away with the plaudits as the former Liverpool midfielder scored through a screamer from 65 yards out that embarrassed goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was off his line. It stunned a packed Stamford Bridge crowd, who were basking in the glory of Eden Hazard’s penalty to put the Blues ahead in the game.
It looked like it was going to be yet another routine afternoon with three points to show at the end of it. The blood gushing out of Cesc Fabregas’s face was just a sign of things as Courtois was caught between his tail between his legs for the second time in consecutive weeks. The Belgian shot stopper also had a comical moment last week too, when Hull City got two past him in as many minutes.
Chelsea got their verve back in the second half though. Hazard was pulling the strings in the attacking third and Stoke were ineffective. The Potters were pegged back in their own half and seemed hell bent on protecting their lead. Attacking options came on from the bench in the form of Marco Arnautovic and Peter Crouch but Jose Mourinho’s side seemed destined to not let the title, which they nearly had last season, slip.
Hazard moved to the centre, waltzed past the defense and delivered a simple ball to Loic Remy, who tapped the ball to the empty net. Then it was all about closing the game down using every trick in the book from hoofing the ball long, feigning injuries, kicking the ball away etc. The league leaders are seven points ahead with one game in hand but Charlie Adam is the biggest victor here.
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Sports News on India.com.
