Chelsea rout Stoke to go top

Apr 25, 2010 - 6:27 PM By ALEX CROOK STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Carlo Ancelotti admitted the Premier League title is theirs to lose as his Chelsea side recorded their biggest win for 47 years with a 7-0 mauling of Stoke at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea embarrassed a Stoke outfit, who before Sunday had the joint best goals against record away from home in the Premier League, and underlined their status as championship favourite, regardless of Manchester United's resurgence.

Salomon Kalou blasted a hat-trick, Frank Lampard added a brace and Daniel Sturridge and Florent Malouda provided two late goals in a perfect afternoon for the Blues.

Ancelotti said: "We played very well, it was a difficult game before the start but we began very well.

"It shows we are good condition to finish the game like that and we are sure it can continue.

"We have won 25 games this season and we know to win the title we need to win the next two which will not be easy.

"It is ours to lose now but this is a good thing because it is down to us."

Whatever doubts there were regarding Chelsea's mental toughness were quickly put to bed as they passed their way around a defensive Stoke looking outfit with class, boosted by the return to the starting line-up of Ashley Cole.

Thomas Sorensen was busy inside the opening two minutes as he kept out full-back Cole, keen to impress the watching England boss Fabio Capello, and then denied Didier Drogba's header at the near post.

But once Chelsea took the lead there was no going back with Drogba's touch from Malouda's pass exquisite and the striker then crossed for Kalou to strike the opener.

Chelsea were dominant and doubled their lead but with some drama as Kalou challenged Sorensen to eventually tap into an empty net but the Danish 'keeper had to be taken to hospital following the collision.

Stoke were wounded and were put to the sword just before the break as Robert Huth battled with Kalou outside the area but the Ivorian elected to tumble once inside the 18-yard-box.

That was of little concern to Lampard who despatched the penalty and Chelsea were virtually home and dry.

The fourth did not arrive until the 68th minute with Kalou completing his first-ever treble for the club after substitute shot-stopper Asmir Begovic had saved his first attempt from Lampard's pass.

Begovic did wonders to prevent Malouda on the line but it was of little consequence as Lampard sealed his 20th of the season from Sam Hutchinson's cross.

The excellent Drogba who would have felt hard done-by not to get on the scoresheet released Sturridge to round Begovic for a sixth before Malouda diverted Joe Cole's cross into the net a minute later to seal a record top-flight victory.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis said: "It is a poor day, very disappointing for the club especially when you have five or six players not playing to their ability.

"It is our first defeat in the league away from home this year but sometimes you just have to take these.

"We are poles apart in terms of resources but that is no excuse and we have not given a good account of ourselves. It is embarrassing for the club."