Adam scores goal of the season as Costa limps off

Charlie Adam scored one of the goals of the season, but it was not enough as Stoke lost to Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Earlier in the day, Wayne Rooney and Bobby Zamora scored two goal of the season contenders for Man United and QPR respectively, but Adam has surely trumped both with his effort, struck from 64 yards out.

It proved to be in vain though as Jose Mourinho’s emerged triumphant to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points, though they were not convincing and they may have to do without Diego Costa for the remainder of the season.

Having begun on the bench, the striker replaced Oscar at half-time, but last just 11 minutes before an injury to his problematic hamstring forced him off.

Despite their star man’s absence, Chelsea began brightly and will feel aggrieved not to have gone in at half-time in front given their inventive play as they prodded and probed the Stoke defence from the off.

Asmir Begovic was forced into early saves from Loic Remy following some lovely play from the Blues, whose free-flowing football continued as Hazard dazzled, showing the fancy footwork that has put him in the running for Player of the Season.

A smart move from the Belgian together with Willian, Azpilicueta and Oscar, was unlucky not to have produced a goal, with the latter’s shot going narrowly wide.

But until Philipp Wollscheid brought down Cesc Fabregas, handing Hazard the chance to score from the spot, it appeared we were heading for a goalless first 45 minutes.

But Hazard scored, and then Charlie Adam drilled the ball past Thibaut Courtois, one of the world’s best keepers, to fire Stoke level in spectacular fashion as he shot from inside his own half on the stroke of half-time.

Standing on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area, Courtois could only palm it into the net as he back peddled frantically to try and keep Adam’s shot out.

Costa was withdrawn shortly after the restart, though Remy’s strike will give his boss some hope the Blues’ title challenge is not in too much danger of faltering.

His goal from five yards out, created by the brilliant Hazard, was the Frenchman’s last act of the game as he was replaced by Juan Cuadrado on the hour mark.

After a quiet game the Frenchman will be pleased he found the back of the net, but as the game wore on Chelsea struggled to put more daylight between them and their opponents thanks to the intervention of Begovic.

The Blues, while not their sparkling best, still found a way to cross the finish line and will be pleased the points are theirs with QPR up next.