Chelsea made it seven home league wins a row with a commanding 5-0 victory against Stoke, whose problems in defence intensified on Saturday
Goals from Antonio Rudiger (4), Danny Drinkwater (9), Pedro (24), Willian (74) and Davide Zappacosta (88) sent Chelsea into second above Manchester United, who were later held at home by Southampton
Meanwhile, Stoke, who were without defensive duo Ryan Shawcross and Kurt Zouma, have now conceded 49 goals this season - a league high - and remain just two points above the drop
Mark Hughes' side have now won only twice in 11 matches and are very much looking over their shoulder
Chelsea were ahead inside three minutes, which set the tone for a dismal afternoon for the visitors
Willian fired a set-piece in from the right and Rudiger rose highest to nod home
Stoke barely got out of their half in the opening quarter and were two behind on nine minutes when Pedro's cross dropped to Drinkwater on the edge of the box, where he found the top corner with a special dipping volley
Willian supplied Pedro with a firm pass on 24 minutes and the Spaniard spun Josh Tymon before firing past Jack Butland into the far corner
Mame Biram Diouf had a goal ruled out for handball just before the break while Alvaro Morata wasted a one-on-one with Butland
Saido Berahino could have ended his goal drought but was thwarted by Thibaut Courtois
Willian fired a home a penalty - one that he won himself - before Zappacosta, a second-half sub, added a fifth after a terrible headed clearance by Tymon
The Brazilian identifies Chelsea strength in depth going forward
 With Eden Hazard rested, Willian slotted into the free role with aplomb, creating havoc with his movement and powerful running
 Pedro ran him close for the award but his yellow card for an unnecessary dive in the second-half blotted his copybook
"We started the game very well, with great desire to score early
"In this type of game if you are able to score early the game can become easy because your opponent has to change their plan and then gives more space to your strikers
""We were stretched today - a little bit too much
"We didn't have the tools to have a go at Chelsea
 We're playing today, we're playing Monday
 We've got injuries in key areas
 That back four clearly hasn't played together, with two young full-backs
 They found it difficult, which is understandable
 It's a huge leap to what they're used to
"At times they'll make mistakes and at this level you get punished
 You have to factor that in and we understand that
"Chelsea have a trip to top-six rivals Arsenal on Wednesday, live on , while Stoke City have a 48-hour turnaround to contend with as they face Newcastle on New Year's Day
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