CHELSEA SWINGS BACK!

Chelsea now have a two-point advantage over third-placed Manchester City, who have played two games fewer, but Liverpool can return to the summit if they avoid defeat in their game in hand at West Ham on Sunday.

Despite easily ending Stoke's run of three successive wins, Mourinho still cut a miserable figure on the sidelines after criticising his side following their 3-1 Champions League loss in Paris.

Fernando Torres - left out against PSG - was included against Stoke, yet he still looked short of the "real striker" Mourinho said he was looking for.

Although Stoke have impressed recently as they chase their best top-flight finish, they offered little, with Peter Odemwingie's early shot a rare attempt at goal.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes introduced Charlie Adam at the break but, having just returned from suspension, the midfielder's first meaningful act was to tread on Andre Schurrle's foot.

The German was later replaced by Hazard, who took less than two minutes to make his mark as he combined with Salah to earn a penalty.

Half-time substitute Wilkinson could have no complaint when he hacked down Salah, with Lampard scoring after Begovic saved his low spot-kick for his 250th career goal.

Stoke rued a great chance to claw a goal back when Marko Arnautovic mis-controlled Steven N'Zonzi's through ball.

As the game petered out, Willian scored a fine goal as he surged to the edge of the box and found the net from 18 yards.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes: "We found it really difficult to retain possession high up the park and we didn't have a foothold in game.

"From our point of view we have done a lot better and you need players playing to their maximum when you come to Stamford Bridge, but we didn't have the number that we needed to cause Chelsea problems." - Newsnation