EPL 2017/18: Chelsea 5-0 Stoke City - 5 Talking Points

Antonio Conte's Chelsea ended the year in emphatic fashion when they ran out 5-0 winners against a depleted Stoke City at Stamford Bridge. The Blues were at their destructive best on the night and they were duly rewarded for some of the finest football they have played all season.

Chelsea were rewarded as early as in the 3rd minute when Antonio Rudiger leapt highest to find the back of the net from a Willian free-kick. Just a few minutes later, Danny Drinkwater scored a peach of a goal from outside the area to make it 2-0 for the hosts within 10 minutes of play.

Pedro added a goal in the 23rd minute and second-half goals from Willian and David Zappacosta ensured that Chelsea cruised to a thumping win. The result meant that Chelsea leapfrogged Manchester United on the points table but the Red Devils can regain the second spot with a win over Southampton.

Without further delay, let's take a closer look at the five key talking points from the goal-fest at Stamford Bridge:

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#5 Willian continues impressive record against Stoke

Willian dismantled Stoke City with ease

Willian has been on the receiving end with a lot of scrutinies this season, due to his inconsistent form, that has troubled the Brazilian in recent times. The winger started the game ahead of Eden Hazard and made full use of the opportunity to prove that he still has a lot to offer to the club.

In fact, Willian relished the opportunity of facing Stoke by scoring a goal and registering two assists on the night. The goal now means that Willian has scored 5 goals in 11 appearances in the league against Stoke, the highest he has managed against any side ever since joining Chelsea.

The air surrounding Willian's consistency is still very much foggy and he would be looking to kick on from this performance to provide himself with the boost that he very much needs.

#4 Stoke need to address their defensive woes

Stoke City have been shambolic at the back so far this season

Stoke City's horrendous form at the back has now seen them concede 46 goals so far this season, that's 8 more than West Ham United who have conceded the second highest number of goals. The Potters were not handed any favours when they took on Chelsea away from home without the likes of Ryan Shawcross and Bruno Martins Indi and faced the wrath of the Chelsea attackers.

Mark Hughes was forced to assemble a makeshift back-four consisting of youngsters Josh Tymon and Thomas Edwards against a rampaging Chelsea and it did not bode well for the visitors. There was so much space on offer for Chelsea's creative players inside the final third and they continued to make inroads into Jack Butland's goal.

Over the years, Stoke had enjoyed a reputation of being solid at the back and the current crop of players at the club have been anything but the same. A leaky defence is a worrying factor for any side battling for survival and Stoke is no different at this point in time.

#3 Drinkwater and Kante roll back the years

Drinkwater and Kante complimented each other pretty well on the field

The midfield duo that helped Leicester City win a historic Premier League title in the 2015/16 season rolled back the years with a commanding performance for Chelsea on the night. Drinkwater enjoyed a lot of freedom down the middle due to Kante's cautious approach while screening the back four and Chelsea reaped the rewards of the balance provided by the duo.

Drinkwater surged forward and played those long balls with good effect while Kante closed down his opponents at will and relative ease to disrupt the flow of the game. It's only a shame that the players have rarely featured together for Chelsea over the course of the season and if this performance is anything to go by, Antonio Conte will have a few headaches when he is presented with the opportunity of naming his side's best combination.

It is as clear as daylight that Kante brings out the best in Drinkwater and with overgrowing concerns about Tiemoue Bakayoko's form, this combination sounds like a match made in heaven.

#2 Mark Hughes - Depleted and dejected

Time running out for Hughes?

Perhaps he deserves a little more from his players, especially considering whatever he has done for the club ever since taking up the job back in 2013. Mark Hughes has transformed the way Stoke play their football over the years and helped them to commendable places in the league table under his reign.

However, in recent weeks he has been under the scanner owing to his side's poor run of form and it seems as if the Potters are heading right into the heart of a scramble for survival unless they turn their fortunes around.

Peter Coates, the club chairman, has backed Hughes over the years but he could be left with little choice if they are to drop more points in the coming weeks. The game against Newcastle United at home becomes extremely important for Stoke and a win could ease some pressure on Hughes, who will definitely seek reinforcements in January if he is still around at the bet365 stadium.

#1 Five-star Chelsea end the year on a high

Chelsea were unstoppable on the night

The display on offer for the Chelsea faithful was the perfect parting gift to 2017, a year that saw them lift the Premier League title under Antonio Conte back in May. The Blues were at it from the referee's whistle and produced some free-flowing football, much to the delight of the supporters who were in full voice throughout the game.

Chelsea were undeniably a treat to watch and despite their chances of successfully defending the title looking rather bleak due to Manchester City's impeccable form, they will know that there is still a lot to play for in 2018 due to their success in cup competitions.

Conte's men haven't been all that bad this season and the performance against Stoke is only an indication that they are still one of the big names in English football.