Source: Daily_Mail
Stoke v Chelsea live
Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as last season's runners-up Chelsea open their campaign at the Britannia Stadium against Stoke.Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas will hope to get off to a winning start but the Potters will fancy their chances on home territory. Send your thoughts on the game to me at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or on twitter @Ripinho[LNB] Stoke 0-0 Chelsea (1.30pm) Stoke: Begovic, Huth, Shawcross, Woodgate, Wilson, Pennant, Delap (Pugh 71), Whelan, Etherington (Whitehead 62), Jones (Shotton 86), Walters.Subs: Sorensen, Collins, Diao, Wilkinson.[LNB]Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou (Drogba 76), Torres (Benayoun 89), Malouda (Anelka 65).Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Ferreira, McEachran.[LNB]Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)[LNB]15.30: That's it from me on this game but not for today as by clicking here you can follow coverage of the day's final game between West Brom and Manchester United. Thank your for following.[LNB]15.26: Apologies that my promise of a goal never materialised, but Chelsea just couldn't find a breakthrough.[LNB]It's not a terrible result for Villas-Boas' first game in charge as not many teams are going to leave this ground with three points over the season.[LNB]But it is a minor blip, even if Torres's good performance does provide some consolation.[LNB]For Stoke, Pulis will be pleased with his side's organisation over the game but will be concerned with the injuries suffered to Delap and Etherington. Let's hope they are not serious.[LNB]Full-time: Stoke 0-0 Chelsea[LNB]90+6min: Oh why do I bother? Chelsea clear their lines and that looks to be it.[LNB]90+5min: Set-pieces have dominated injury time and Stoke will have a final chance from a free-kick on the right wing...[LNB]90+4min: As ever the big build up disappoints and Drogba's effort slams off the wall. [LNB]90+3min: Stoke defending for their lives and they give away another free-kick 25-yards-out.[LNB]90min: Five minutes added on here.[LNB]89min: Well there is the future. With Delap off the pitch Shotton takes over long throw duty and he is just as effective, with Cech again struggling to meet it before a push in the box sees Chelsea win a free-kick.[LNB]Yossi Benayoun is on for Torres. To be fair, the Spaniard has had a good game.[LNB]87min: Frustration for Lampard who is booked for throwing the ball away - he really has had one to forget.[LNB]86min: A final change here. It really is batten down the hatches now for Stoke who bring on defender Ryan Shotton for Jones.[LNB]84min: Hope for Stoke though. After winning a free-kick, the Potters hold possession on the edge of the box before Huth's delicate chip is taken by Cech.[LNB]They haven't given up on snatching a win just yet.[LNB] Agony: Matthew Etherington uses his shirt as a makeshift sling as he trudges off the pitch[LNB]83min: I still fancy a late goal here. Stoke are almost playing like they are down to 10 men such is their struggle to keep possession.[LNB]82min...it is the Ivorian that takes it but that's too central to Begovic who takes confidently.[LNB]81min: And here is another but this is more central and wouldn't you know it, Drogba is on the pitch...[LNB]79min: A blatant body-check from Wilson on Bosingwa earns him a yellow card and Chelsea again get ready to pile the pressure on from a free-kick 30-yards-out.[LNB]76min: What a daunting thought for Stoke. Drogba replaces Kalou, and plays up top along with Anelka and Torres. Backs to the wall time for the Potters.[LNB]74min: Chelsea have had 75 per cent of the possession in the last 10 minutes.[LNB]It's a fitting symbol of how much they have turned up the wick.[LNB]72min: Crikey, TWO great chances for Chelsea! Anelka's deft chip is met by the slightest of finger-tips from Begovic as the ball bounces off the bar.[LNB]While moments later Torres's cross finds Kalou but his header is well claimed by the Stoke stopper.[LNB]71min: Stoke are forced into another injury substitution as Rory Delap looks like he has pulled his hamstring and is replaced by Danny Pugh.[LNB]68min: That is the first time Cech has cracked. Delap's throw in gets the better of him as he fails to make contact with the punch but the ball doesn't fall kindly for Walters and Chelsea scramble clear.[LNB]67min: No complaints about Cole's commitment but his challenge on Jermaine Pennant is slightly over the top and he is booked.[LNB] No penalty: Torres goes down (centre) after a tangle with Woodgate[LNB]65min: And here comes Chelsea's first change as Nicolas Anelka is on for Malouda. No Drogba still? The Ivorian just doesn't belong on the bench.[LNB]62min: There is our first change. Etherington looks to have dislocated his shoulder in a collision with Kalou and he is replaced by Dean Whitehead.[LNB]60min: I can't believe ho much this game has opened up. It's end-to-end now and Torres is proving quite a nuisance.[LNB]57min: How sweet has he hit that?! Jon Mikel Obi unleashes a thunderbolt first time volley on the edge of the box that dips viciously before Begovic just tips it over - cracking strike![LNB]56min: And more penalty claims! Lampard looks like he is tripped by Marc Wilson inside the box but for me the midfielder is already going down before the slightest of contact is made.[LNB]Mark Halsey keeps his bottle again with that, it would be so easy to give a penalty after the amount of tight claims he has turned down.[LNB] Waved away: John Terry's protests fall on deaf ears to referee Mark Halsey[LNB]54min: Now you're not having that one Fernando![LNB]A corner in the box is headed towards goal by Terry but in the six-yard-box Woodgate and Torres tangle with the latter tumbling over quite pathetically. [LNB]51min: Ramires remains sharp, picking up a loose ball on the edge of the box but sliding the effort wide.[LNB]There has been just two shots on target in the whole game, both from Chelsea.[LNB]48min: Smart from Torres...to a degree. He shows quick feet to doge a challenge and draw a foul just inside the area but he tumbles outside the box and doesn't even win a free-kick.[LNB]There could have been few complaints had he won the spot-kick. Mark Halsey has made a rare error there[LNB]47min: Positive start from Stoke as they win a corner in the opening few moments but Chelsea once again clear.[LNB] Under pressure: Woodgate and Huth close in on Torres[LNB]Second-half: Stoke get us going again.[LNB]14.27: From InfostradaLive:[LNB]It is more than two years since Chelsea last won a Premier League away match which stood goalless at the break.[LNB]14.22: A difficult start for Villas-Boas as Stoke have answered all the questions thrown at them and posed a few of their own.[LNB]Below is the incident with Terry, but the centre-back had such little time to react to Walters' clever flick that I maintain a penalty would have been harsh.[LNB]Half-time: Stoke 0-0 Chelsea[LNB]45+1min: Honestly what does this guy need to do to get a break?[LNB]Torres shows tremendous skill to beat three players in the box but just as he goes to pull the trigger Shawcross gets the slightest of touches on the ball, causing the Spaniard to completely miss his kick and send the ball wide. [LNB]The run deserved more.[LNB]45min: One added minute.[LNB]44min: Stoke often get accused of being the long ball side to end all long ball sides but they have played some good stuff this half.[LNB]They remain dangerous at set-plays though and it is their best chance of scoring, but so far the Chelsea defence has stood firm.[LNB] Lucky man? Jon Walters (centre) plays the ball on to John Terry's arm[LNB]41min: Cries for a penalty from the home fans, but from a corner Shawcross and Terry are as bad as each other for getting adventurous with their hands and referee Mark Halsey simply ignores them as they both take a tumble.[LNB]Moments before, Terry looks like he has handled the ball in the box but Walters' flick on to the centre-backs arm would have been harsh had it resulted in a spot kick.[LNB]39min: What a ball from Delap! No not a throw in but a cute cross to the back post which Jones looked poised to nod in until Alex's late intervention.[LNB]37min: One shot on target....and I sure can't remember it.[LNB]34min: So with just over half-an-hour gone, there isn't much to choose between these teams and I hate to say it but Torres is struggling to get involved. Likewise Frank Lampard.[LNB] Physical encounter: Malouda and Delap collide as Villas-Boas collects the ball in the background[LNB]31min: Fantastic work from Ramires who has looked the visitors' best player.[LNB]He goes on a great run into the Stoke area and his shot across goal although not on target only needed a touch from a Chelsea attacker to divert it in.[LNB]28min: No goals and few chances but this game has been played at a quick tempo and is far from a bore draw.[LNB]Tony Pulis will be the happier of the two mangers so far.[LNB]25min: And again it's Cech to the rescue! Etherington makes mince meat of Cole on the wing as he plays a deft touch to send Walters on his way, but as the forward's angle to goal decreases he can only fire across the area which Cech punches to safety.[LNB]23min: Cech once again plucks out a cross, this time under pressure from Jon Walters.[LNB]If there is one thing the Czech stopper has looked today, it's solid.[LNB]22min: The home fans need no second invitation to boo Ashley Cole and they get the perfect opportunity when the full-back bundles over Etherington on the halfway line as Stoke counter. No yellow card though.[LNB] Race clear: Torres (left) dodges Delap's challenge[LNB]20min: A free-kick in a dangerous position for Stoke after John Terry body-checks Kenwyne Jones on the byline.[LNB]Matthew Etherington's delivery is decent and it causes mild panic in the box for Chelsea before Cech eventually claims.[LNB]17min: Nervy moments at the back for Chelsea as Petr Cech and Alex exchange passes, with the former panicked into clearing to touch under pressure from the pressing Stoke attackers. The game is still very even.[LNB]14min: Another Delap throw in but Cech doesn't come for this one and Robert Huth heads over.[LNB]13min: Kalou goes down claiming a half-hearted penalty appeal in the box but play goes on. Replays suggest he slips more than anything under minimal pressure from the Stoke defence.[LNB]12min: Well Cech has a plan this afternoon. It seems he has decided to come out for every Delap delivery.[LNB]I have seen that end in tears many times for visiting goalkeepers on this ground.[LNB]11min: Torres then has our first real effort as he drags a shot wide from 20-yards-out - spinning a more cautious Shawcross on the turn in the process.[LNB] Penny for your thoughts: Villas-Boas (front left) takes advice from assistant Roberto Di Matteo[LNB]10min: And Ryan Shawcross is the first man in the book after a cynical trip on Torres on the halfway line.[LNB]Needless and he is walking a tightrope for the rest of the game.[LNB]9min: I said Bosingwa needs to make a point and he so nearly does! On the right he looks like he is attempting a cross but he in fact goes for goal with Asmir Begovic reacting quickly to turn the ball behind at his near post.[LNB]6min: It's evened up now. Ramires looks bright in the opening exchanges and his trickery down the right win Chelsea their first corner, which Stoke clear.[LNB]3min: Stoke the better side here. As you would expect they are pressing all over the pitch and the Blues haven't found their rhythm yet. Both managers already on the edge of their respective technical areas.[LNB]2min: Stoke win a thrown in near the penalty box and you know what that means...[LNB]Rory Delap chucks one in but Petr Cech is brave enough to come out and punch away.[LNB] Tussle: Stoke's Matthew Etherington (left) duels with Chelsea's Florent Malouda[LNB]Kick-off: Torres and Malouda get us underway[LNB]13.28: Teams are out at a slightly overcast Britannia Stadium. Never dampens the mood of the fans though, it's one of the only grounds you need ear plugs.[LNB]13.25: Ex-Chelsea assistant Ray Wilkins sticks the boot in early on by stating he is very surprised Villas-Boas has not gone with Drogba up front, citing his aerial threat. A good point to be honest.[LNB]13.22: Jamie Redknapp emphasises the point by confirming that dad Harry admitted to making one of the most difficult decision of his career by releasing the centre-back from Spurs.[LNB]13.20: I do hope Woodgate has better luck with avoiding injuries at Stoke. No doubt he would still be at Tottenham now if he could stay fit and maybe even an England regular.[LNB]At least he can start today, I just hope he doesn't suffer the same fate as Kieron Dyer did yesterday.[LNB]13.17: On to Stoke's line-up, summer signing Jonathan Woodgate makes his league debut with Rory Delap returning to midfield at the expense of Dean Whitehead in one change from the team which beat Hajduk Split in the Europa League 10 days ago.[LNB]13.14: Andre Villas-Boas pre-match:[LNB]It's a good exciting time. We have had ideas and the players have been great in taking on those ideas. It's magnificent to play Stoke in the first game, they are a staple to the British game.[LNB]On selecting Torres: 'We had options but we had to make a decision we felt most comfortable with and this is the most important thing.'[LNB]13.11: A 4-3-3 it is then for Chelsea with Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda to support Torres.[LNB]Another big inclusion there is Jose Bosingwa - it's time the Portuguese full-back upped his game for the Blues.[LNB] The missing man: Didier Drogba (right) headed in the equaliser the last time these teams met, but he starts on the bench for today's game[LNB]13.08: Full team news from the Britannia Stadium:[LNB]Stoke v ChelseaStoke: Begovic, Huth, Shawcross, Woodgate, Wilson, Pennant, Delap, Whelan, Etherington, Jones, Walters. Subs: Sorensen, Collins, Pugh, Diao, Whitehead, Wilkinson, Shotton.[LNB]Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou, Torres, Malouda. Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Benayoun, Drogba, Ferreira, McEachran, Anelka. [LNB]Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)[LNB]13.05: More favourable stats for Chelsea from InfostradaLive:[LNB]Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 12 opening day fixtures since a 2-1 defeat at Coventry City in 1998.[LNB]13.02: It's 20 years of Sky Sports, yet they still can't get a decent Super Sunday intro. Why can't they go back to using this?...ah, those were the days.[LNB]13.00: So after the anti-climax that was yesterday (you have to admit it was rubbish, wasn't it?) does the Premier League effectively get going today. I do hope so, Arsenal-Newcastle yesterday was a stinker.[LNB]12.56: As Villas-Boas prepares to make his bow as Chelsea boss, check out Rob Draper's feature on the Special One mkII.[LNB]12.52: Team news is coming in small drips here but an update is Didier Drogba starts on the bench.[LNB]12.50: Let's not write the Potters off too early though. Despite being given possession in the form of rations for this fixture they know how to hold their own, picking up a deserved point just four months ago thus seriously denting the Blues late title push.[LNB]12.45: And if you want some sort of idea of how this game is going to flow, check out this stat from those friendly folk at OptaJoe:[LNB]29.5 per cent - Stoke City have averaged 29.5per cent possession in their six previous Premier League games v Chelsea. Soak.[LNB]12.38: One very early bit of news is Fernando Torres starts - thus saving my build up paragraph...phew.[LNB]12.35: So just how good is this Andre Villas-Boas chap? This afternoon won't provide a full answer but it is going to provide our first clues whether or not he is the man to lead Chelsea.[LNB]Honestly he will win me over if he can just get Fernando Torres to score today. Team news will be coming your way as I get it.[LNB] Fresh start: Chelsea's Fernando Torres will hope to improve on his performances from last season[LNB] Villas-Boas fears it could be lights out for Chelsea if Lamps suffers injuryLiverpool's ?10m bid for Stoke City defender Shawcross falls shortAll the latest Stoke City news, features and opinionAll the latest Chelsea news, features and opinion[LNB]
