Chelsea continued their impressive run to the season with a 4-0 bashing over Stoke City at Bet365 Stadium. It was Alvaro Morata's hat trick that significantly gave Chelsea the victory at Stoke. The Premier League champions dominated possession and launched several offensive assaults on Stoke's half. No doubt, this result was a disappointing outcome for Mark Hughes's side as they lost in front of their 29,661 home crowd and needed to win this game to stay afloat on the EPL log. With this win, Chelsea is third with thirteen points, while Stoke is fifteenth with five points.
Here's the summary of the match.
Stoke City outlook
Starting XI and individual performance points: Goalkeeper - Jack Butland (4.40). Defender - Bruno Martins Indi (6.20), Erik Pieters (5.89), Glen Johnson (5.90), Mame Biram Diouf (5.76), Ramadan Sobhi (six points). Midfielder - Darren Fletcher (4.54), Joe Allen (5.80). Forward - Xherdan Shaqiri (6.40), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (5.89), Jesé 5.85). Used substitutes - Ibrahim Afellay (5.89), Peter Crouch (5.90).
Team's strength and weakness: Stoke City's attackers were weak at finishing, and their backline committed a high number of individual stumbles.
Style of play: Mark Hughes's side held more possession in Chelsea's half and favored crossing the ball.
Chelsea outlook
Starting XI and individual performance points: Goalkeeper - Thibaut Courtois (seven points). Defender - Andreas Christensen (7.30), Antonio Rüdiger (7.58), César Azpilicueta (9.10), Victor Moses (seven points), Marcos Alonso (7.37). Midfielder - N'Golo Kanté (7.75), Tiemoué Bakayoko (8.16), Willian (6.59), Pedro (7.24).
Forward - Álvaro Morata (9.40). Used substitutes - Eden Hazard (6.55), Cesc Fàbregas (6.60), Gary Cahill (6.48).
Team's strength and weakness: Chelsea often stole possession from Stoke players and created several chances in front of goal from long shot situations and through balls. Antonio Conte's men were strong at finishing.
However, in their weakness, the Blues defenders gave away lots of free kicks around their box.
Style of play: Chelsea largely attacked through the middle, favored short passes and through balls.
Who's the Man of the Match?
Álvaro Morata's hat trick was just good enough for Chelsea to walkover Stoke on the road. The Spaniard completed forty-five touches.
Scheduled Week 7 matches for both teams
Stoke will welcome Southampton on Saturday 30 September. The same weekend, Chelsea will play host to Manchester City at the Stamford Bridge; an encounter that promises to be the Match of Week 7.