Chelsea looked to continue their late push for European football next season with another victory, this time against Stoke City.
The contest at Stamford Bridge proved to be interesting and exciting with Stoke pushing hard against the home side for much of the contest.
The contest at Stamford Bridge proved to be interesting and exciting with Stoke pushing hard against the home side for much of the contest.
The Blues did take the lead through a stunning goal from Bertrand Traore but late on Mame Biram Diouf, who missed two great chances in the first half, found a leveller to ensure the points were shared.
Here’s the player ratings from Chelsea 1-1 Stoke City.
Here’s the player ratings from Chelsea 1-1 Stoke City.
Chelsea
Thibaut Courtois – 6.5/10
Courtois made a couple of very good saves against the battling Stoke side, which included keeping out a decent effort from distance for Marko Arnautovic. The Belgian watched a couple of chances for Diouf go wide which could have tested him had they been on target. Had to make a strong save from a Shaqiri effort in the second half but will be disappointed with his reactions after failing to stop Diouf’s equaliser.
Courtois made a couple of very good saves against the battling Stoke side, which included keeping out a decent effort from distance for Marko Arnautovic. The Belgian watched a couple of chances for Diouf go wide which could have tested him had they been on target. Had to make a strong save from a Shaqiri effort in the second half but will be disappointed with his reactions after failing to stop Diouf’s equaliser.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6.5/10
Now back on the right-flank, Azpilicueta’s battles with Arnautovic and Pieters provided for intriguing watching. The Spaniard couldn’t always best his Stoke rivals but his position and tactical awareness was as assured as ever from the defender.
Now back on the right-flank, Azpilicueta’s battles with Arnautovic and Pieters provided for intriguing watching. The Spaniard couldn’t always best his Stoke rivals but his position and tactical awareness was as assured as ever from the defender.
Gary Cahill – 7/10
Strong in the tackle and leading the defence, Cahill had to ensure the Chelsea back-line was organised against a Stoke side that looked ready to battle at Stamford Bridge. To be fair to Cahill he had a decent outing against the Potter’s attacking outlets in a very open encounter.
Strong in the tackle and leading the defence, Cahill had to ensure the Chelsea back-line was organised against a Stoke side that looked ready to battle at Stamford Bridge. To be fair to Cahill he had a decent outing against the Potter’s attacking outlets in a very open encounter.
Branislav Ivanovic – 5.5/10
Ivanovic’s deployment in the centre, in the absence of John Terry and Kurt Zouma, meant that the Serbian’s lack of pace wouldn’t be too much of an issue. However the 31-year-old couldn’t match Mame Biram Diouf’s power either as the Stoke striker often battled the defender off of the ball. While often composed in possession Ivanovic struggled against the Potters.
Ivanovic’s deployment in the centre, in the absence of John Terry and Kurt Zouma, meant that the Serbian’s lack of pace wouldn’t be too much of an issue. However the 31-year-old couldn’t match Mame Biram Diouf’s power either as the Stoke striker often battled the defender off of the ball. While often composed in possession Ivanovic struggled against the Potters.
Baba Rahman – 6/10
Baba Rahman’s natural pace and power was an additional attacking weapon on Saturday but the young defender looked more comfortable on the offensive than trying to deal with Shaqiri in the Chelsea half. Not that Baba didn’t fight against the winger but didn’t find it easy, and was happier when running up the wing.
Baba Rahman’s natural pace and power was an additional attacking weapon on Saturday but the young defender looked more comfortable on the offensive than trying to deal with Shaqiri in the Chelsea half. Not that Baba didn’t fight against the winger but didn’t find it easy, and was happier when running up the wing.
Nemanja Matic – 6/10
Still not back to the dominant midfield enforcer that dragged Chelsea to Premier League glory last season, the Serbian was often outshone by Imbula of Stoke although there is clearly some improvement in Matic’s game. Needs to rediscover his confidence in possession and in the tackle.
Still not back to the dominant midfield enforcer that dragged Chelsea to Premier League glory last season, the Serbian was often outshone by Imbula of Stoke although there is clearly some improvement in Matic’s game. Needs to rediscover his confidence in possession and in the tackle.
John Obi Mikel – 6.5/10
Obi Mikel is still enjoying his resurgence under Guus Hiddink and sat in front of the back line the experienced midfielder fought with Affelay. Often coming off strongly against the Stoke playmakers, Mikel did blast far over the bar in the first half. Stick to what you do best eh, John?
Obi Mikel is still enjoying his resurgence under Guus Hiddink and sat in front of the back line the experienced midfielder fought with Affelay. Often coming off strongly against the Stoke playmakers, Mikel did blast far over the bar in the first half. Stick to what you do best eh, John?
Willian – 7.5/10
Still Chelsea’s best player this season and it’s clear again that this is the case after his outing against Stoke. Willian did what he did best in driving the Blues’ forward and fought for every ball on the flank. The Brazilian could have made it 2-0 if not for a decent save from Butland at the hour mark.
Still Chelsea’s best player this season and it’s clear again that this is the case after his outing against Stoke. Willian did what he did best in driving the Blues’ forward and fought for every ball on the flank. The Brazilian could have made it 2-0 if not for a decent save from Butland at the hour mark.
Oscar – 7/10
While a number of Chelsea players struggled at the start of the season Oscar is one of them that appears to be getting better as the weeks go by. The Brazilian floated in the hole behind Traore and often found himself with space to turn and run, or spray passes. Gradually looking back to the best of his ability.
While a number of Chelsea players struggled at the start of the season Oscar is one of them that appears to be getting better as the weeks go by. The Brazilian floated in the hole behind Traore and often found himself with space to turn and run, or spray passes. Gradually looking back to the best of his ability.
Eden Hazard – 6.5/10
Still not back to his old self but Eden Hazard is playing with more confidence these days. The winger found himself up against a difficult to break down Stoke defence but his interplay with the other Chelsea attacking players was very good. Came off for Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Still not back to his old self but Eden Hazard is playing with more confidence these days. The winger found himself up against a difficult to break down Stoke defence but his interplay with the other Chelsea attacking players was very good. Came off for Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Bertrand Traore – 7/10
The young striker appeared to struggle initially in the first half against a well organised Stoke defensive line but the forward pulled out a stunning finish after turning and shooting from the edge of the box, which sailed into the back of the net past Jack Butland. Although he’s not as physical as Diego Costa, Traore played to his strengths and came into the game with maturity.
Substitutes
Ruben Loftus Cheek
Loic Remy
Came on for Bertrand Troare
Cesc Fabregas
Stoke City
Jack Butland – 6.5/10
The England international has so often been crucial for Stoke this season and once again Jack Butland made a string of decent saves for his side. However the youngster couldn’t do much about Bertrand Traore’s long-ranged effort that gave Chelsea the lead.
The young striker appeared to struggle initially in the first half against a well organised Stoke defensive line but the forward pulled out a stunning finish after turning and shooting from the edge of the box, which sailed into the back of the net past Jack Butland. Although he’s not as physical as Diego Costa, Traore played to his strengths and came into the game with maturity.
Substitutes
Ruben Loftus Cheek
Loic Remy
Came on for Bertrand Troare
Cesc Fabregas
Stoke City
Jack Butland – 6.5/10
The England international has so often been crucial for Stoke this season and once again Jack Butland made a string of decent saves for his side. However the youngster couldn’t do much about Bertrand Traore’s long-ranged effort that gave Chelsea the lead.
Geoff Cameron – 6/10
Still appears to be struggling after returning to the Stoke starting XI a couple of weeks ago following an injury. The USA international is clearly an experienced defender but against Eden Hazard’s tricks left him wanting at times.
Still appears to be struggling after returning to the Stoke starting XI a couple of weeks ago following an injury. The USA international is clearly an experienced defender but against Eden Hazard’s tricks left him wanting at times.
Philipp Wollscheid – 6.5/10
Stoke’s defence can be proud of their efforts against Chelsea despite the result and Wollscheid is developing into a decent Premier League centre-back. The German fought with Traore and Oscar in keeping the attackers out of their penalty area and can’t take any fault in the goal conceded late in the first half.
Stoke’s defence can be proud of their efforts against Chelsea despite the result and Wollscheid is developing into a decent Premier League centre-back. The German fought with Traore and Oscar in keeping the attackers out of their penalty area and can’t take any fault in the goal conceded late in the first half.
Marc Muniesa – 6.5/10
Like his defensive partner Muniesa can leave Stamford Bridge with his head held high even though his side lost, after putting in a battling performance. The Spaniard made a number of crucial blocks and interceptions and at times even drove Stoke out of their own penalty area, and started a couple of attacks.
Like his defensive partner Muniesa can leave Stamford Bridge with his head held high even though his side lost, after putting in a battling performance. The Spaniard made a number of crucial blocks and interceptions and at times even drove Stoke out of their own penalty area, and started a couple of attacks.
Erik Pieters – 6/10
Was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch after just about avoiding a second yellow card, and that sums up Pieters difficult afternoon. The full-back has been an ever present this campaign for Stoke but has had many better afternoons than this one, and was often left behind by Willian and Oscar.
Was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch after just about avoiding a second yellow card, and that sums up Pieters difficult afternoon. The full-back has been an ever present this campaign for Stoke but has had many better afternoons than this one, and was often left behind by Willian and Oscar.
Glenn Whelan – 6.5/10
A fighter and a grafter, Whelan represents the Stoke old guard and the midfielder showed that with a battling display in the centre. Nothing pretty from Whelan but did his job reasonably well before being substituted in the second half.
A fighter and a grafter, Whelan represents the Stoke old guard and the midfielder showed that with a battling display in the centre. Nothing pretty from Whelan but did his job reasonably well before being substituted in the second half.
Giannelli Imbula – 8/10
In terms of individual performances Imbula was the best player on the pitch at Stamford Bridge. The midfielder has brought everything Stoke were lacking in the first half of the season since his record move to the club in January and the 23-year-old is already crucial to Mark Hughes’ team. Pulled all the strings for Stoke.
In terms of individual performances Imbula was the best player on the pitch at Stamford Bridge. The midfielder has brought everything Stoke were lacking in the first half of the season since his record move to the club in January and the 23-year-old is already crucial to Mark Hughes’ team. Pulled all the strings for Stoke.
Xherdan Shaqiri – 7/10
Excellent pace and trickery were the order of the day for Shaqiri and the winger ran circles around Baba Rahman when Stoke attacked, which happened more often than one might think. The Swiss international set up Diouf but the striker couldn’t net, but Shaqiri can be happy with his contribution.
Excellent pace and trickery were the order of the day for Shaqiri and the winger ran circles around Baba Rahman when Stoke attacked, which happened more often than one might think. The Swiss international set up Diouf but the striker couldn’t net, but Shaqiri can be happy with his contribution.
Ibrahim Afellay – 7/10
Perhaps the least stated of Stoke’s big names, Afellay has developed comfortably into his midfield role and enjoyed getting forward against Chelsea.
Perhaps the least stated of Stoke’s big names, Afellay has developed comfortably into his midfield role and enjoyed getting forward against Chelsea.
Marko Arnautovic – 6.5/10
Having netted twice against Aston Villa in the week Arnautovic was keen for more and the winger could’ve had one, with a swerving effort testing Courtois in the second half.
Having netted twice against Aston Villa in the week Arnautovic was keen for more and the winger could’ve had one, with a swerving effort testing Courtois in the second half.
Mame Biram Diouf – 7/10
The pacey forward is also very strong and therefore Diouf should have proved to be a handful for Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahil. However although the striker got into some good positions he wasted two excellent opportunities to get the Potters goals in the match. However was in the right place to tuck home a leveller just five minutes from time.
Substitutes:
Bojan
Came on for Glenn Whelan
Joselu
Steven Ireland
The pacey forward is also very strong and therefore Diouf should have proved to be a handful for Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahil. However although the striker got into some good positions he wasted two excellent opportunities to get the Potters goals in the match. However was in the right place to tuck home a leveller just five minutes from time.
Substitutes:
Bojan
Came on for Glenn Whelan
Joselu
Steven Ireland
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