Chelsea 4 Stoke 2 analysis: Five things we learnt as the Blues extend winning run to 13 matches
CHELSEA won for the 13th game in a row at Stoke - but the Premier League leading Blues were far from their best.
Here's five things we learnt from the Blues 4-2 win over the Potters at Stamford Bridge.
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TIRED CHELSEA
The scoreline more than flattered the home side - Stoke were much better than the 4-2 scoreline might suggest.
A lot of that was to do with a Chelsea side that didn't look entirely at the races.
The back three of David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta made two errors for the goals that we simply haven't seen during this long winning run.
Whether that is complacency or just tiredness it was hard to tell, but Antonio Conte must decide if he wants to freshen up the team more than he has done.
He won't do it in the next game against Spurs, but Conte has been happy to keep eight or nine of the same players every week.
Eden Hazard had no impact and Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses didn't get up and down like they usually do.
That being said, Chelsea were still able to pick up a convincing win and score four with relative ease.
Ominous for the rest.
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WILLIAN STEPS UP
Pedro missed out because of suspension and will have a problem getting back into the team next week.
Willian was easily Chelsea's best attacking player on the day and deserved his two goals.
It was reminiscent of last season when the Blues were over-reliant on the winger.
The Brazilian burst into tears after his second - in memory of his mother who died after a battle with cancer earlier this year.
He more than deserved his standing ovation as he walked off having been substituted.
FAB THE PASS MASTER
It wasn't his best game but Fabregas is vital to the Blues in this type of game when teams set up to stop Chelsea.
He has his weaknesses, but for all N'Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic's brilliance this season, never has the eye - nor the bravery - to take the risky forward pass.
Not only that, his brilliant set-piece delivery means Chelsea are always a threat.
Gary Cahill scored the opener about 10 minutes after forcing Lee Grant into a good save - both came from super Fabregas crosses.
Two more assists against Stoke and the Spaniard moves to an impressive landmark - 100 Premier League assists.
He is fourth on the all-time list (although the stats haven't been tracked for every season) and reached the landmark quicker than anybody else.
Fabregas reached the milestone in 293 matches - 74 fewer appearances than Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs
VINTAGE CROUCH
Peter Crouch is now way past his peak and at 35, the little athleticism he once had is all but evaporated.
This was a vintage performance from the former England striker, who gave the Chelsea back three fits anytime the ball came near.
Throughout his career, Crouch's style has not been appreciated - with some even mocking him.
But Crouch remains a real threat.
A goal and an assist showed Crouch at his best.
A knockdown from a long free-kick for the first goal and a majestic touch in the build up for the second.
Sure, he took advantage of some uncharacteristically sloppy Chelsea defending, but Crouch was a real thorn in the Blues' side.
CONTE FIGHTS OFF THE PAIN
Earlier this week a humorous story emerged from the Chelsea training ground - Antonio Conte had injured his calf during a jog.
One might have expected that to stop the Italian from his usual antics on the touchline, where he often seems to go through more of a workout than some of the players on the pitch.
Afraid not.
Conte was as animated and agitated as ever, screaming his orders and frantically waving his arms.
He didn't forget to run up and down the touchline when Chelsea scored, either.