John Terry's early header and Cesc Fabregas's second-half strike restored Chelsea's three-point English Premier League football lead heading into a busy Christmas programme with a 2-0 win at Stoke City.
Cesc Fabregas Photo: AFP
Chelsea were ahead inside two minutes at the Britannia Stadium when Terry met a Fabregas corner with a powerful downward header.
Stoke pushed forward after the break without ever causing fit-again Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois many problems and Fabregas sealed victory with a scuffed finish 12 minutes from time.
Chelsea next host high-flying West Ham United on Saturday - the Pensioners now have 42 points from 17 games with Manchester City, who visit West Brom the same day, on 39 and Manchester United on 32.
Chelsea then visit fifth-placed Southampton on Monday.
