Chelsea romped to a 4-0 win over Stoke City at the Britannia and they were in sensational form and could have had more if not for the heroics of Asmir Begovic in the Stoke goal.
Jon Walters had a horrendous afternoon for the hosts scoring two own goals and missing a late penalty.
The hosts should have been ahead inside seven minutes when Kenwyne Jones had the simplest of tasks of poking beyond Petr Cech but the striker shot wide to the disbelief of all those in the stadium.
If Jones should have scored then Frank Lampard certainly should have, the England man at least hit the target to bring a fine save out of Asmir Begovic after an excellent Chelsea passing move.
Chelsea continued to push and Eden Hazard was pulling the strings but Stoke stood firm in a typically rugged display.
Frank Lampard released new signing Demba Ba who brought a fine save out of Begovic with a fierce left footed strike and Ramires could not capitalize on the rebound as he was tackled superbly by Andy Wilkinson.
Rafa Benitez Chelsea took the lead on the stroke of half time when Jonathan Walters headed into his own net after Cesar Azpilicueta whipped the ball into the Stoke box and his diving header flew beyond Begovic with Mata ready to tap home.
HT: Stoke 0-1 Chelsea
The European Champions came straight out of the blocks in the second half and Ashley Cole forced another fine save from the legs of Asmir Begovic.
The home fans were furious when Matthew Etherington was brought down in the box and was awarded a penalty only to have the decision changed as the assistant had a flag up on the far side. It was a correct decision but one that incensed the home crowd.
The Blues had a two goal cushion just after the hour mark when Jon Walters headed into his own net for the second time of the afternoon under pressure from Frank Lampard from a Chelsea corner.
It got worse for Stoke just two minutes later when Frank Lampard thundered a spot kick home after Juan Mata was clipped by Robert Huth in the box.
Lampard should have made it four but Begovic again made himself big to block superbly to keep the score respectable.
Chelsea had their fourth though in the 72nd minute when Eden Hazard collected the ball from Mata before sending an unstoppable drive beyond a flying Begovic.
John Terry made his comeback playing the last 15 minutes and the former England captain gave a penalty away for a trip on Jonathan Walters. Walters stepped up and blazed his spot kick over on an afternoon to forget for the Stoke striker.
FT: Stoke 0-4 Chelsea
20/05 - 19:45
