MX23RW : Friday, November 22 05:41:24| >> :120:18294:18294:
[monks data]
Attendance: 41,433
Chelsea logo
Premier League
Dec 30, 2017 at 3pm UK
 
Stoke logo

5-0

Rudiger (3'), Drinkwater (9'), Pedro (23'), Willian (73' pen.), Zappacosta (88')
FT(HT: 3-0)

Mark Hughes reflects on "difficult day"

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes laments "a difficult day" after his side are swept aside 5-0 by champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has admitted that his side suffered "a difficult day" as they were swept aside 5-0 at champions Chelsea this afternoon.

Antonio Rudiger, Danny Drinkwater, Pedro, Willian - from the spot - and Davide Zappacosta were all on target for Antonio Conte's side at Stamford Bridge in what proved to be a game to forget for the Potters.

After picking up four points from their two games either side of Christmas Day, Hughes's side end 2017 outside of the relegation zone but just two points above the drop following a disastrous run of six defeats in their last nine.

"It was a difficult day for us, clearly we were short of numbers in defensive areas, and we made a couple of mistakes too," Hughes told Match of the Day. "We need to get a few players back to give us that defensive solidity, we had two young lads in today, who tried their best in difficult circumstances.

"We had a few decent periods in the second half, when we managed to hold onto the ball, and I thought Saido Berahino looked sharp. We've got to go again on Monday - so that's why we had to rest a few players - so I take responsibility for that. If we win on Monday, it's a decent Christmas period for us. The schedule tests you and it will test us more than the bigger clubs, because they've got that squad depth.

"The reality was it was always going to be difficult to get a result here - even with a full strength squad - sometimes you have to be pragmatic."

Next up for Stoke is a home encounter with fellow strugglers Newcastle United on New Year's Day.

ID:315204: cacheID:315204:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3180:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Antonio Conte celebrates during the Premier League game between Chelsea and Newcastle United on December 2, 2017
Read Next:
Conte: 'Win caps off a great year'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Steelers
@
Browns
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!