It was not another goal feast at Stamford Bridge for a change but Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba still came up with two vital strikes to keep Chelsea’s unbeaten record and clean sheet intact at the top of the Premier League.
Malouda expertly converted a first-half opportunity with his right foot against a much stronger Stoke side than the Tony Pulis team who surrendered seven at the Bridge back in April.
Drogba all but killed the tie with a second-half penalty after Thomas Sorensen had brought down Nicolas Anelka.

Fabio Capello should have heaved a sigh of relief as Rooney managed to score his first goal since March and Manchester United kept the pressure on both Arsenal and Chelsea at top as they beat West Ham 3-0.
Rooney netted from the spot in the first half after Jonathan Spector’s poorly timed tackle on Ryan Giggs. While Nani was nowhere to be seen for the spot-kick after last weeks miss, the Portuguese winger cut inside brilliantly to fire United’s second, before Dimitar Berbatov’s maintained his goal scoring streak with an agile finish from his cross sealed the points.

Dimitar Berbatov repaid the faith of his manager by sending Manchester United on their way to a comfortable season-opening Premier League win over Newcastle, but it was legendary pair of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs who stole the show.
Berbatov was handed a starting berth alongside Wayne Rooney and responded by firing home an excellent 33rd-minute effort at Old Trafford.