Half-time: Chelsea 1 Stoke 0

Bertrand Traore’s stunning strike put Chelsea on course for victory at Stamford Bridge.

Traore, playing up front because of a tendon injury to Diego Costa, turned sharply 25 yards from goal following a Nemanja Matic pass and crashed the ball in to the far corner from the edge of the box.

The goal came with Chelsea well on top but Stoke had started brightly and created three good chances on the break.

Thibaut Courtois made a decent save from Ibrahim Afellay’s long-range strike and Mame Diouf twice wasted good shooting positions.

But Chelsea started to threaten more regularly after the half-hour mark, mainly through the recalled Willian and Eden Hazard, who is making his 200th Chelsea appearance.

Willian blasted an effort narrowly wide and also saw a shot blocked after a fine run by the impressive Hazard.

Manager Guus Hiddink left Cesc Fabregas on the bench, but there were recalls for John Mikel Obi, and Baba Rahman, as well as Willian.

The Blues and the Potters are both chasing a fourth consecutive Premier League victory. A Chelsea win would take them above Stoke in the table and could take them up to seventh place in the table.