Ashley Cole late strike gives Chelsea victory against Stoke City

Chelsea extends their lead to the top of the league table as they end the Potters unbeaten record in a 1-0 late victory. Thanks to a late goal from Ashley Cole in the 85th-minute that came in from Ivanovich's low cross towards Mata which the Spaniard flicked with his back foot and Cole made no mistake to chip in with his left foot. In front of the blues fans and Roman Abramovich at Stamford Bridge, i think its a victory well deserve.

Cole

Despite all the possession the blues gain in both halves, it was the visitors who came closest to breaking the deadlock, with J. Walters heading Glenn Whelan's 19th-minute free-kick against the bar. Fernando Torres also missed our best chance to take the lead in the first half when Mata's clever chip into the box left him one on one with keeper Asmir Begovic to beat, only for the striker to chest the ball down and then fail to connect with his shot.

John Mikel also found himself in the box from Oscar's through pass but the Nigeria strike was blocked by a defender before Begovic held to his hands. Oscar was booked for diving after going down from Shawcross's tackle and Hazard miss a clear chance to score in the first halve but was latter on replaced just after the hour mark, with Victor Moses coming on for his home debut. Making an immediate impact, skipping away from Marc Wilson and picking out Oscar, whose deflected shot was saved at the near post by Begovic.

Roberto Di Matteo decided to rotate his squad for today's encounter, lining up John Terry and Frank Lampard among the substitutes with Ramires partnering Obi Mikel in midfield while Gary Cahill play in the centre-back alongside David Luiz. Frank Lampard was brought on to replace Obi Mikel in the final minutes while Terry also came in for Mata to protect the lead following Cole's late breakthrough in the 85th minutes. Chelsea (4-2-3-1) formation includes:

Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Cole; Mikel (Lampard 81), Ramires; Mata

(Terry 88), Oscar, Hazard (Moses 61); Torres.

Subs not used: Romeu, Azpilicueta, Bertrand, Turnbull.

Cyracks Zenda

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