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Played
March 10, 2012 3:00 PM GMT
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee: A. Marriner
Attendance: 40945
March 10, 2012 3:00 PM GMT
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee: A. Marriner
Attendance: 40945
68′
Didier Drogba
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| Chelsea | 1.38 | 1.36 | 1.37 | 1.01 | 1.40 | 1.33 | 1.01 | 1.38 | 1.40 |
| Draw | 4.60 | 4.50 | 4.33 | 19.00 | 4.33 | 4.75 | 30.00 | 4.85 | 4.25 |
| Stoke City | 8.90 | 8.50 | 9.25 | 81.00 | 9.00 | 10.50 | 300.00 | 8.38 | 8.00 |
Top of the Match
To Be Announced Shortly
Juan Mata
Chelsea FC
Chelsea FC
Flop of the Match
To Be Announced Shortly
Ricardo Fuller
Stoke
Stoke
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Chelsea 1-0 Stoke City: Drogba pounces to give Di Matteo a second straight win against 10-man Potters
The Ivorian's 100th goal for the club secured vital three points whilst Tony Pulis' men will no doubt rue the brainless behaviour of striker Ricardo Fuller, who was sent off
By Jay Jaffa
Getty Images
Didier Drogba's second-half strike helped Roberto Di Matteo to his second win as Chelsea manager as his team defeated 10-man Stoke 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.
The Potters came into the game having failed to win a league game against the Blues home or away since 1975 and matters were not helped by Ricardo Fuller's sending off for a crass stamp on Branislav Ivanovic in the first half.
Chances were hard to come by, but Chelsea's patience was rewarded in the second half as Drogba latched onto a Juan Mata through-ball to net his 100th Chelsea goal.
The hosts began encouragingly, pressing Stoke deep and forcing an early mix-up between Ryan Shawcross and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic that saw the centre-half's header land on the roof of his own net.
On the fourth minute Chelsea forged their first clear chance. An out-swinging Lampard corner was met by the unmarked Ivanovic and although the Serbian right-back connected well, it was a poor header, sailing just over the crossbar when it looked easier to score.
But as the hosts verged on opening the scoring, John Walters carved a chance of his own. The striker chased a long ball, the Irish forward got away with tripping Terry as the two came together on the halfway line, before shooting twice, failing to score on both occasions.
Walters' strike partner Fuller fared even worse as he received his marching orders after just 25 minutes. He chased a long pass and as Ivanovic slid to hook the ball to safety, the Jamaican reacted impetuously by deliberately stamping down on the Chelsea defender, prompting Andre Marriner to show him the red card.
Chelsea continued to search for the opener and Ivanovic, who was afforded far too much space, played a one-two with Lampard on the edge of the box leading to a looped header that was claimed by Begovic on his goal-line.
As half-time approached, Di Matteo made his first substitution, introducing the mercurial Mata for Raul Meireles.
But it was Ivanovic, who pounced on a loose clearance in the visitors' box and smashed a half volley against the crossbar as Di Matteo's team closed the half on a high.
The hosts continued to lack creativity in the final third and the only chances of the first 15 minutes of the second-half came from long-range efforts from Lampard, Luiz and Terry. The home support seemed notably more patient and were almost treated to a splendid Drogba goal as Begovic flew to his left and tipped the shot over the bar.
But it wasn't long until Drogba did find the net. Mata found room on the edge of the box and slipped the ball into Drogba whose first touch drew Begovic from goal. His second allowed him to round the Bosnian leaving an open goal for the 34-year-old to break the deadlock and bring relief to Stamford Bridge.
Lampard came close to doubling the lead minutes later but his fierce shot from 25 yards was smuggled away by the busy Begovic.
As the game neared its conclusion, Mata almost left the supporters with a final reason to cheer. His curling left-footed free-kick beat Begovic but rebounded back off the upright – the third time in the game the hosts had hit the woodwork.
Following today's game, Chelsea are fifth in the standings with 49 points, while Stoke sit 10th with 36.
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The Potters came into the game having failed to win a league game against the Blues home or away since 1975 and matters were not helped by Ricardo Fuller's sending off for a crass stamp on Branislav Ivanovic in the first half.
Chances were hard to come by, but Chelsea's patience was rewarded in the second half as Drogba latched onto a Juan Mata through-ball to net his 100th Chelsea goal.
The hosts began encouragingly, pressing Stoke deep and forcing an early mix-up between Ryan Shawcross and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic that saw the centre-half's header land on the roof of his own net.
On the fourth minute Chelsea forged their first clear chance. An out-swinging Lampard corner was met by the unmarked Ivanovic and although the Serbian right-back connected well, it was a poor header, sailing just over the crossbar when it looked easier to score.
But as the hosts verged on opening the scoring, John Walters carved a chance of his own. The striker chased a long ball, the Irish forward got away with tripping Terry as the two came together on the halfway line, before shooting twice, failing to score on both occasions.
Walters' strike partner Fuller fared even worse as he received his marching orders after just 25 minutes. He chased a long pass and as Ivanovic slid to hook the ball to safety, the Jamaican reacted impetuously by deliberately stamping down on the Chelsea defender, prompting Andre Marriner to show him the red card.
Chelsea continued to search for the opener and Ivanovic, who was afforded far too much space, played a one-two with Lampard on the edge of the box leading to a looped header that was claimed by Begovic on his goal-line.
As half-time approached, Di Matteo made his first substitution, introducing the mercurial Mata for Raul Meireles.
But it was Ivanovic, who pounced on a loose clearance in the visitors' box and smashed a half volley against the crossbar as Di Matteo's team closed the half on a high.
The hosts continued to lack creativity in the final third and the only chances of the first 15 minutes of the second-half came from long-range efforts from Lampard, Luiz and Terry. The home support seemed notably more patient and were almost treated to a splendid Drogba goal as Begovic flew to his left and tipped the shot over the bar.
But it wasn't long until Drogba did find the net. Mata found room on the edge of the box and slipped the ball into Drogba whose first touch drew Begovic from goal. His second allowed him to round the Bosnian leaving an open goal for the 34-year-old to break the deadlock and bring relief to Stamford Bridge.
Lampard came close to doubling the lead minutes later but his fierce shot from 25 yards was smuggled away by the busy Begovic.
As the game neared its conclusion, Mata almost left the supporters with a final reason to cheer. His curling left-footed free-kick beat Begovic but rebounded back off the upright – the third time in the game the hosts had hit the woodwork.
Following today's game, Chelsea are fifth in the standings with 49 points, while Stoke sit 10th with 36.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking- Fans' Man of the Match
- Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In GMT
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Robin van Persie
Striker Arsenal |
30 | 2 |
|
Wayne Rooney
Striker Man Utd. |
27 | 6 |
|
Kun Agüero
Striker Manchester City |
23 | 3 |
|
Aiyegbeni Yakubu
Striker Blackburn Rovers |
17 | 4 |
|
Emmanuel Adebayor
Striker Tottenham |
17 | 3 |
