EPL: Chelsea 5-0 Stoke City
Chelsea made it seven home league wins a row
Chelsea made it seven home league wins a row with a commanding 5-0 victory against Stoke, whose problems in defence intensified on Saturday.
Goals from Antonio Rudiger (4), Danny Drinkwater (9), Pedro (24), Willian (74) and Davide Zappacosta (88) sent Chelsea into second above Manchester United, who were later held at home by Southampton.
Meanwhile, Stoke, who were without defensive duo Ryan Shawcross and Kurt Zouma, have now conceded 49 goals this season - a league high - and remain just two points above the drop.
Mark Hughes' side have now won only twice in 11 matches and are very much looking over their shoulder.
Player ratings
Chelsea were ahead inside three minutes, which set the tone for a dismal afternoon for the visitors.
Willian fired a set-piece in from the right and Rudiger rose highest to nod home.
Stoke barely got out of their half in the opening quarter and were two behind on nine minutes when Pedro's cross dropped to Drinkwater on the edge of the box, where he found the top corner with a special dipping volley.
Willian supplied Pedro with a firm pass on 24 minutes and the Spaniard spun Josh Tymon before firing past Jack Butland into the far corner.
Mame Biram Diouf had a goal ruled out for handball just before the break while Alvaro Morata wasted a one-on-one with Butland.
Saido Berahino could have ended his goal drought but was thwarted by Thibaut Courtois.
Willian fired a home a penalty - one that he won himself - before Zappacosta, a second-half sub, added a fifth after a terrible headed clearance by Tymon.
Meanwhile, Stoke, who were without defensive duo Ryan Shawcross and Kurt Zouma, have now conceded 49 goals this season - a league high - and remain just two points above the drop.
Mark Hughes' side have now won only twice in 11 matches and are very much looking over their shoulder.
Player ratings
Chelsea were ahead inside three minutes, which set the tone for a dismal afternoon for the visitors.
Willian fired a set-piece in from the right and Rudiger rose highest to nod home.
Stoke barely got out of their half in the opening quarter and were two behind on nine minutes when Pedro's cross dropped to Drinkwater on the edge of the box, where he found the top corner with a special dipping volley.
Willian supplied Pedro with a firm pass on 24 minutes and the Spaniard spun Josh Tymon before firing past Jack Butland into the far corner.
Mame Biram Diouf had a goal ruled out for handball just before the break while Alvaro Morata wasted a one-on-one with Butland.
Saido Berahino could have ended his goal drought but was thwarted by Thibaut Courtois.
Willian fired a home a penalty - one that he won himself - before Zappacosta, a second-half sub, added a fifth after a terrible headed clearance by Tymon.