Roberto
Di Matteo earned his first Premier League win as Chelsea's interim manager
following a 1-0 victory over 10-man Stoke City.
It was Chelsea's first league outing since the departure of Andre Villas-Boas
last weekend, and they were made to work for the points despite Ricardo Fuller's
first-half sending off.
Fuller was shown a straight red for a reckless and dangerous stamp on Branislav
Ivanovic in the 25th minute, with Stoke under constant pressure for the
remainder of the game.
John Terry and Ivanovic had already hit the woodwork, before Didier Drogba broke
the deadlock, latching onto Juan Mata's pass before rounding Asmir Begovic to
score his 100th Premier League goal in the 68th minute.
Mata then struck the post with a long range free-kick and while Stoke worked
until the final whistle, they never looked like scoring an equaliser.
Di Matteo's rescue act began in earnest today after Tuesday night's FA Cup win
at Birmingham, with the caretaker manager's top priority securing Champions
League qualification.
Chance
The Blues, who needed a three-goal victory to reclaim fourth place, should have
been ahead inside four minutes, Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross going close to
back-heading an own goal and an unmarked Branislav Ivanovic powering over the
recalled Frank Lampard's corner.
It was a confident start from the home side, emphasised when Gary Cahill drove
forward from the back and unleashed a 10th-minute piledriver Asmir Begovic
palmed behind.
Making his first league start of the season, Salif Diao earned an early booking
for upending Ramires, who was then inches from glancing in Salomon Kalou's
cross.
Cahill had to rescue Chelsea with a block after a slip from John Terry - who
sealed his remarkable comeback from knee surgery today - let in Jonathan
Walters, who was then hauled back by John Obi Mikel, prompting another caution.
Fuller was lucky to escape a card for tripping Ivanovic as Stoke continued to
frustrate their opponents but the forward then well and truly pressed the
self-destruct button in the 25th minute.
Irked by a soft Ivanovic tackle, he inexplicably stamped on the defender's
groin, earning a straight red.
Raul Meireles dragged wide when well placed on the edge of the area as Chelsea
tried to make the extra man count.
They almost did just past the half-hour when Terry's downward header from
Lampard's corner bouncing up on to the crossbar, the defender furious at
perceived holding by Robert Huth.
Meireles' cross just cleared Drogba and Ivanovic's looping header after a
one-two with Lampard almost caught out Begovic.
Di Matteo threw on Juan Mata for Meireles seven minutes from the break,
immediately playing a pass that saw Marc Wilson booked for bringing down
Ramires.
Lampard almost danced his way through several defenders before Ivanovic wasted a
glorious 40th-minute chance, smashing against the bar after Huth's header gifted
him the ball.
Ivanovic failed to emerge after the break, with David Luiz coming on at
right-back.
Begovic got away with spilling an early Lampard shot before Stoke threw on
Wilson Palacios and Matthew Upson for Diao and Wilson, switching to three at the
back.
They remained ultra-defensive, with Chelsea lacking the guile to break them
down, something that was a constant problem under Andre Villas-Boas.
Terry drilled narrowly wide from 25 yards before Stoke's final change on the
hour mark, Kenwyne Jones withdrawn for Cameron Jerome.
Chelsea finally forced Begovic into a save - and a brilliant one at that - when
Drogba's 66th-minute free-kick was clawed out of the top corner.
That did not stop Di Matteo sending on Daniel Sturridge for Mikel in search of a
goal, ignoring Fernando Torres.
Breakthrough
The breakthrough immediately followed, Mata's pinpoint through ball finding
Drogba, whose heavy first touch drew Begovic and allowed the striker to round
him and slot home his 100th Premier League goal.
Begovic failed to hold another Lampard drive as Stoke finally began to venture
from their own half.
Suddenly, Chelsea were on the ropes and Andy Wilkinson even tried his luck with
a 45-yard lob.
The home side were still in control but another Terry mistake seven minutes from
time let in Jerome, who flashed past the post under pressure from Cahill.
Sturridge twice shot wide from the edge of the box either side of Mata's superb
30-yard free-kick clattering the upright as Chelsea eventually eased home.
Click Here For Official Teamsheet
Teams
Chelsea
Cech,
Ivanovic (Luiz 46), Cahill, Terry, Cole, Mikel (Sturridge 67),
Meireles (Mata 37), Ramires, Lampard, Kalou, Drogba
Subs Not Used
Turnbull, Essien, Romeu, Torres
Booked
Mikel
Goals Drogba 68
Stoke City
Begovic, Wilkinson,
Shawcross, Huth, Wilson (Upson 50), Shotton, Whitehead, Diao (Palacios
50), Fuller, Walters, Jones (Jerome 60)
Subs Not Used
Sorensen, Delap, Pennant, Crouch
Booked
Diao, Wilson
Sent Off Fuller
Goals
Attendance 40,945
Referee
A. Marriner
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