Chelsea 2 Stoke 1

Charlie Adam scores from inside his own half Chelsea go seven points clear at top Eden Hazard nets ninth penalty from nine attempts Diego Costa comes on at half-time but goes off injured Charlie Adam scored from inside his own half but could not prevent Stoke from losing, as Chelsea went seven points clear at the top of the Premier League. Adam hit a sensational equaliser for Stoke, spotting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois off his line and smashing in from around 65 yards out. Earlier, Eden Hazard had stroked in a penalty for the home side after Cesc Fabregas had been tripped in the box. Loic Remy scored Chelsea's winner after an error from keeper Asmir Begovic. The only sour note for the home side was an injury to striker Diego Costa, who came on at half-time, but lasted only 11 minutes before he went off holding his hamstring. With champions Manchester City not playing until Monday when they face Crystal Palace, Jose Mourinho's men capitalised by extending their advantage over second-placed Arsenal, who thrashed Liverpool earlier in the day, at the summit. The Blues are the only side in English football's top four divisions with an unbeaten home record and despite still having to face Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool in their remaining eight fixtures, they will hope to collect enough points to reclaim the crown for the first time since 2010. Chelsea showed true signs of being champions by edging another victory, following a 3-2 win over Hull in their last game, and Remy was the match winner again, tapping into an open net after Begovic had given the ball away. Mark Hughes's Stoke, though, have lost their way recently, losing their last three matches, and stay 10th in the table as they look to better last season's ninth-place finish. But they were overrun by a side who looked intent on adding another trophy to the League Cup they have already won this season. Begovic was kept busy - by Frenchman Remy in particular - having to make numerous saves to keep the scoreline respectable as Chelsea threatened to run away with the match in the first half. Hazard kept up his 100% record from the penalty spot after Fabregas was brought down by defender Philipp Wollscheid and Oscar should have added a second. But to everyone's surprise, they went in level after a moment of genius. Adam's wonder goal came out of nothing, picking the ball up inside his own half, before unleashing a strike that flew over Courtois's head and into the net. Despite the equaliser, the pattern for the second period did not change, with Chelsea missing opportunities for a more comfortable scoreline, yet securing all three points to edge closer to the title. Eden Hazard Eden Hazard continued his 100% success rate from the penalty spot Thibaut Courtois Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was left floundering after Charlie Adam's long-range strike Stoke celebrate Charlie Adam was mobbed by his team-mates after netting from inside his own half Matthew Etherington Former Stoke midfielder Matthew Etherington, on commentary duty for BBC Radio Stoke, was impressed by the strike Diego Costa Diego Costa went off with a hamstring injury 11 minutes after coming on at half-time Lineup, Bookings (7) & Substitutions (6) Chelsea 13 Courtois 02 Ivanovic 24 Cahill 26 Terry 28 Azpilicueta 04 Fàbregas 21 Matic 22 Willian 08 Oscar (Drogba - 45' Booked ) 10 Hazard 18 Remy (Cuadrado - 63' ) Substitutes 01 Cech 03 Filipe Luis 05 Zouma 07 Ramires 11 Drogba 19 Diego Costa (Drogba - 57' Booked ) 23 Cuadrado Stoke City 01 Begovic 20 Cameron 17 Shawcross Booked 26 Wollscheid Booked 12 Wilson 07 Ireland Booked (Crouch - 78' Booked ) 15 N'Zonzi 06 Whelan Booked 16 Adam Booked (Pieters - 79' ) 18 Diouf (Arnautovic - 62' ) 19 Walters Substitutes 02 Bardsley 03 Pieters 05 Muniesa 10 Arnautovic 21 Sidwell 22 Butland 25 Crouch Ref: Jonathan Moss Att: 41,098 Match Stats Possession39%61%90minsChelseaStoke City Shots 19 7 On target 10 2 Corners 9 0 Fouls 5 22 Source:bbc