chelsea outclass stoke in fivegoal drubbing
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Chelsea outclass Stoke in five-goal drubbing

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Chelsea outclass Stoke in five-goal drubbing

Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger celebrates with teammates.
London - Arab Today

Chelsea demonstrated the yawning chasm in squad depth that exists in the Premier League with a 5-0 canter past Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

While both sides rotated their squads after a hectic series of fixtures, Chelsea maintained their quality on the pitch in a scintillating opening half-hour, racing into a 3-0 lead and effectively winning the match through goals from Antonio Rudiger, Danny Drinkwater and Pedro.

A late Willian penalty and a fine individual effort from Davide Zappacosta completed the scoring in a game that had long since ceased to be a contest.

By contrast, Stoke's team selection suggested manager Mark Hughes was prioritising Monday's New Year's Day game at home to fellow strugglers Newcastle United.

Teenage full-backs Tom Edwards and Josh Tymon both started while influential midfielders Joe Allen and Xherdan Shaqiri were named as substitutes.

It took just two minutes and 35 seconds for Stoke's makeshift side to be exposed. Willian sent over a long, looping free-kick to the far post where Rudiger rose to head powerfully home.

It was 2-0 after eight minutes.

This time Stoke did manage to clear a set piece, a corner on this occasion, only to see the ball drop to Drinkwater just outside the area.

A touch to control and a swish of his right boot later and the ball was flying into the top corner, leaving Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland helpless.

A third goal seemed inevitable and it arrived after 23 minutes.

Willian slipped the ball to Pedro who allowed it to drift across his body, wrongfooting Tymon in the process, before striking it low into the corner of Butland's net.

At this point, it appeared that the record Premier League victory -– Manchester United's 9-0 win over Ipswich in 1995 -– could possibly be eclipsed.

Instead Chelsea's intensity dropped.

This gave Charlie Adam more time in midfield. The Scot used it wisely, floating a delightful ball into the path of Mame Biram Diouf, who used his upper arm to control it before he slotted his shot under the body of Thibaut Courtois. The goal was rightly disallowed.

Stoke then fashioned another opportunity in the opening minutes of the second half.

However, Saido Berahino's understandable lack of confidence having not scored since February 2016 saw him shoot tamely at Courtois.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte's thoughts were already turning towards Wednesday's London derby trip to Arsenal. The Italian removed Victor Moses, N'Golo Kante and Alvaro Morata by the 71st minute.

Two minutes later, Chelsea had their fourth goal. Willian, who was clearly bundled over by Geoff Cameron in the area, sent Butland the wrong way with his penalty.

With the game nearing its conclusion, Zappacosta chose the moment to score his first Premier League goal, collecting the ball on the right, cutting inside and driving a low shot past Butland.

Source: AFP

 

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

chelsea outclass stoke in fivegoal drubbing chelsea outclass stoke in fivegoal drubbing

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

chelsea outclass stoke in fivegoal drubbing chelsea outclass stoke in fivegoal drubbing

 



GMT 21:38 2017 Monday ,30 October

Arab coalition to confronting Houthis

GMT 05:09 2017 Wednesday ,20 September

UK to take 130 more lone refugee children in Dubs

GMT 16:27 2011 Thursday ,07 July

More photos come up

GMT 10:49 2016 Monday ,19 September

Greek central banker denies rift with government

GMT 04:51 2017 Saturday ,21 October

EU puts brakes on Macron's Google tax push

GMT 11:35 2017 Friday ,17 March

Bahrain Bourse daily trading report

GMT 20:38 2017 Friday ,24 February

20 terror suspects, including 4 women, arrested

GMT 10:40 2017 Saturday ,29 April

Sudan condemns Paris' terrorist attack

GMT 08:33 2017 Tuesday ,21 November

Hezbollah denies sending arms to regional conflicts

GMT 23:14 2017 Tuesday ,02 May

Deputy premier meets Malaysian counterpart

GMT 10:45 2016 Monday ,25 July

Warner, Marvel wow Comic-Con

GMT 09:17 2017 Monday ,08 May

Macron marches to French presidency

GMT 10:45 2016 Wednesday ,21 September

Tesla fixes security in Model S after Chinese hack

GMT 10:41 2017 Friday ,05 May

'Lobby money' behind fall of Philippine Chief

GMT 08:47 2018 Saturday ,20 January

After storm, trains resume limited service in Germany

GMT 14:22 2013 Friday ,11 October

American furniture
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday