Chelsea Overcome Stoke

Rule Britannia as Chelsea negotiate their difficult trip to the Britannia Stadium and leave with all three points, while their hosts, to quote Anne Robinson "leave with nothing". Clearly the early header from the ever-reliable, not to mention indispensable John Terry, was absolutely crucial. A similar early strike was needed on our excursions to the north east, but regrettably no such goal was forthcoming.

Chelsea do like to be patient and almost toy with their opponents like a cat playing with a wounded bird. Such a tactic tends to work more often than not, but just occasionally the wounded bird bites the cat, as happened on our two visits to Manchester when Chelsea failed to hold on to their one-nil lead. Eventually, after Chelsea had teased Stoke and almost offered an open door for a second-half equaliser, our beloved Cesc Fabregas put the contest beyond the home team's reach with a scuffed shot.

Chelsea are now top of the charts at Christmas which the superstitious twits are pointing out is a good omen. It's certainly good to restore ten points of daylight between ourselves and the deluded ManUre folks. However, let's forget about the past and dwell on the future, because being top on December 25th is good, but it's certainly not curtains for everyone else. Nor can Chelsea assume that they will stroll to a Premiership trophy. There is a minefield of matches to cope with in the week after Christmas, including two London derbies and an away day at Southampton. Chelsea need to take at least seven points from this trio of obstacles. Otherwise, the omens and superstitions count for nothing. After all, when our rivals Manchester Mercenaries have both Aguero and Silva in their ranks, they will be a pretty formidable outfit.  

Meanwhile, various voyeurs from Arsenil were bemoaning how Stoke 'lay down' against Chelsea, having previously spanked the Gooners' bottoms. Well, this is silly talk and so typical of the Arsenic begrudgers. Every club in the league and beyond can utter similar grievances. Why, after all, did Newcastle cave in against Arsenil and Totensham and yet resist stoutly against Chelsea? Why did Liverpoo thrash Totensham and yet capitulate against ManUre? Oh one could go on and on. Seriously, Arsenic fools, put a nice, big, smelly sock in it.

If I was any kind of a human being, I would wish my readers [both of you] a 'nice' Christmas, but frankly my damn, I don't give a dear. Here's hoping that the Hammers get hammered on Boxing Day, or will the east end upstarts outpoint Chelsea in the Boxing Day boxing clash? 

Stoke City 0 CHELSEA 2; half time: 0-1. Monday 22nd December 2014.

CHELSEA goal scorers: Terry, Fabregas

CHELSEA team: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Mikel, Fabregas, Willian, Matic, Hazard, Costa. Used substitutes: Schurrle, Drogba, Zouma.

CHELSEA LEADING SCORERS:

Costa - 12 goals

Hazard - 9 goals

Drogba - 6 goals

Fabregas, Oscar and Schurrle - 4 goals

Matic and Remy - 3 goals

Ivanovic, Ramires, Terry, and Willian - 2 goals