Stoke lost and Chelsea are going to win the title, but that's not important. 65 yard goals are important.
Chelsea are looking more and more like title winners by the week, though they were made to sweat a bit on Saturday by Charlie Adam's potential goal of the season. The Stoke City midfielder scored from 65 yards, but it wasn't enough to earn his team points, as the Blues won 2-1.
Loic Remy started ahead of Diego Costa due to fitness concerns and nearly scored in the 2nd minute, with Asmir Begovic needing to make a brilliant stop. Chelsea were well on top throughout the early part of the game and eventually took the lead from the penalty spot, thanks to Cesc Fabregas. He drew a foul on Philipp Wollscheid, and Eden Hazard converted the spot kick.
The Blues appeared to be heading into halftime up a goal, but were stunned by Adam's unbelievable goal from inside his own half in the 45th minute. Stoke won the ball back from Chelsea, who didn't close down Adam, seemingly not sensing the need to do that 65 yards from goal. But Thibaut Courtois was off his line, Adam spotted it, and he launched a perfect shot just over Courtois. The Belgian got a finger to the ball, but couldn't keep it out of his net.
Costa came on for Oscar at halftime, but reaggravated his hamstring injury and was hauled off for Didier Drogba before the hour mark.
Begovic gave away the equalizer shortly afterwards, making an error in judgment when he tried to roll the ball to Steven Nzonzi. Hazard intercepted his toss, passed to Remy, and he finished off Chelsea's winner.
Stoke's best chance for an equalizer came two minutes later, when Nzonzi hit the post. They'd never come closer. Juan Cuadrado came on as a sub and nearly scored his first Premier League goal in the 80th minute when Hazard served up a chance on a silver platter, but he kicked the ball right into Begovic's stomach twice.
Chelsea : Courtois, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry, Ivanovic, Matic, Fabregas, Hazard, Oscar, Willian, Remy
Goals: Hazard (penalty 39'), Remy (62')
Stoke City : Begovic, Wilson, Cameron, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Whelan, Nzonzi, Adam, Ireland, Diof, Walters
Goals: Adam (45')
Source SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1GUn4X0
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