Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has praised his side's persistence after they left it late to beat Stoke City 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Ashley Cole struck with six minutes to play to maintain the Blues' unbeaten record this season.

"Stoke were well organised and it was always like that," Di Matteo told BBC Sport.

"If you score an early goal it helps but if you don't you have to keep going."

The win has opened up a three-point gap for Chelsea over second-placed Everton at the top of the Premier League table.