Stoke vs Chelsea: The One Conte did on a cold, windy afternoon in Stoke

Loving Life

Over the course of ninety minutes on Saturday afternoon, Mark Hughes undid much of the good work he's done at Stoke. While they've been longstanding and reputed bullies over the years, Hughes has attempted to bring a new style of play to the cold, wet pitch in the Bet365iseum. He has introduced unexpected players like Bojan and Xherdan Shaqiri to the squad in an effort to make Stoke's brand of football a little more palatable and a little less pugnacious.

Preview: Stoke vs Chelsea

The Don at today's press conference

Thirty points may separate these two sides, but expect Saturday’s game at The Britannia Bet365iseum to trouble the league leaders more than that gap would intimate. Chelsea have won just two of their last seven games away at Stoke City, losing both their league and League Cup match there just weeks apart last season.

Although future England number one, Jack Butland, has returned to training it is unlikely he will be fit this weekend to face Chelsea. But even without one of the league's standout goalkeepers, Stoke's defence have been exceptional as of last keeping a clean sheet in three of their last four league games. Although their 4-0 loss in 45 minutes at White Hart Lane did fall in that run.

Stoke vs Chelsea: The One Without The Special One

No good ever comes of listening to Rio

At least all the speculation about what would happen to Chelsea if Jose Mourinho weren’t stalking around in the technical area can end now, right? Another game - another loss. Which, let’s be honest, has really put Chelsea in a bit of a pickle. And by pickle I mean they have fewer points than 2 of the 3 promoted teams and have a worse defensive record than Newcastle. Newcastle!

And all this just as Chelsea enter the dreaded month of November where a point is rarely gained. Try and not tempt fate by waxing lyrical about how it could possibly get worse. There is always a way - Chelsea would definitely find a way. Keep in mind that not only is Being Brendan Rodgers sniffing around for work, but David Moyes has been let go from his position at Real Sociedad for his failed attempts at saying his players names. No one wants Cesar Azpilicueta to go through that.

Stoke vs Chelsea: The One That Let Chelsea Concentrate on the League

Definitely not worthy of a card

Chelsea’s result at Stoke last night wasn't brilliant. Which pleased the beIN Sport commentators to no end as they reminded everyone every 45 seconds that it could be Chelsea's seventh loss of the season. And while it is technically a loss on penalties, it's a draw at full time and I'll take that. The technicality, however, could have dominated headlines for the rest of the week. However, here were are today - WEDNESDAY - and it's not quite the catastrophic story that it could have been. Thank you Aresenal for banding with Chelsea in a show of solidarity. You took that embarassing result bullet like an absolute champ. As a result the papers’ lasers that have been pointed towards a certain Portuguese manager were set to stun rather than kill. I doff my cap Arsenal.

Asmir Begovic Won't Settle for Second Best

Diego, meet Asmir

It’s easy to be cynical about transfers with the bloated figures that surround them. Most players earn more in a week than I’ll see in a lifetime. The bastards. So when a first-choice goalkeeper moves to a team with an established keeper in place, it’s natural to assume that it’s simply a money move. That the player wants nothing more than to update his social medial channels from the warm embrace of the bench.

This certainly seemed like the case for Asmir Begovic who left his role as first choice goalkeeper at Stoke to, by and large, Thibaut Courtois’ understudy. But is he really a player looking for an easy ride and a better view of the game than any one of us have.* He might just have ambitions that go beyond keeping Cuadrado Salah Falcao (other players may be available) company on the bench.

Chelsea vs Stoke: The One That Shouldn't Have Been a Surprise

Eden Hazard: Good at Football

As Saturday's late match muddled it's way through inevitability, it became apparent that there was much about the match that seemed to come as a surprise to people. Things that very much should have been a surprise to absolutely no one.

Diego Costa didn't start

I am willing to accept this one as a surprise. Just. The silky movement of Loic Remy isn't exactly what anyone would have in mind when facing Stoke's back line. Costa's, we'll call it physicality, is more suited to dealing with Stoke's style of play. However, he was very clearly injured. Not 'injured' to get out if international duty injured. But actual injured. Costa requested to be subbed off against Hull - and as someone who limped into the starting lineup of the Champions League final - you know it's serious when he decides he can't go on.

QPR vs Stoke: The one where Ferdinand made Crouch look like Usain Bolt

With just 3 between QPR and Stoke in their 8 collective Premier League matches this season, Saturday’s early kick-off didn’t look promising for anyone who is a fan of goals. However, late drama ensured this match ended with more goals than either side had seen so far in the Premier League this season.

Chelsea vs Stoke: Stoke’s Aversion to Goals at the Bridge Continues

So. Much. Hair.

After losing 3-1 away in a Champions League tie, is to host Stoke in the PL right before the continental types make their way to Stamford Bridge. Of course this time around there wasn’t a flurry of other matches and managerial changes before Stoke at home but the similarities are close enough to give those in and around SW6 enough hope going into Tuesday night’s tie.