Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Stoke City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 30, 2017 Chelsea’s Davide Zappacosta celebrates scoring their fifth goal REUTERS/Toby Melville
(Reuters) - CHELSEA 5 STOKE 0
Willian ran the show in the absence of Eden Hazard as Chelsea thrashed an abject Stoke City 5-0 to go provisionally second in the Premier League, 13 points behind leaders Manchester City, on Saturday.
The Blues dominated from the start despite resting Belgian star Hazard ahead of next week's clash at Arsenal, with Antonio Rudiger heading home Willian's free kick in the third minute to put his team in control.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Stoke City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 30, 2017 Chelsea's Michy Batshuayi in action with Stoke City's Geoff Cameron REUTERS/Toby Melville
Danny Drinkwater broke Stoke's sprits six minutes later as he rifled a half-volley home from nearly 25 metres to net a spectacular first goal for Chelsea and Willian teed up Pedro for the third in the 23rd minute.
The Brazilian capped a superb display by slotting home the fourth from the penalty spot near the end after being fouled by Geoff Cameron, with Davide Zappacosta slamming home a fifth goal late on to complete a hefty rout.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Stoke City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 30, 2017 Chelsea's Willian celebrates scoring their fourth goal REUTERS/Toby Melville
(Reporting by Rik Sharma; editing by Clare Fallon)
Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Stoke City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 30, 2017 Chelsea's Pedro celebrates scoring their third goal with team mates REUTERS/Toby Melville Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Stoke City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 30, 2017 Chelsea’s Davide Zappacosta celebrates scoring their fifth goal REUTERS/Toby Melville Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Stoke City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 30, 2017 Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata in action with Stoke City's Geoff Cameron and Jack Butland REUTERS/Toby Melville Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea vs Stoke City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 30, 2017 Stoke City manager Mark Hughes REUTERS/Toby Melville
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