Premier League leaders Chelsea pull out gritty 2-0 win over Stoke City – in pictures

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  Chelsea’s French defender Kurt Zouma (R) vies with Stoke City’s French midfielder Steven N’Zonzi during the English Premier League football match between Stoke City and Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, central England, on December 22, 2014. Chelsea won the game 2-0. AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF

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  Chelsea player Gary Cahill pops up in the Stoke defensive wall as Willian prepares to take the kick during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Chelsea at Britannia Stadium on December 22, 2014 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

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  Chelsea’s Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (L) vies with Stoke City’s US defender Geoff Cameron (R) during the English Premier League football match between Stoke City and Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, central England, on December 22, 2014. AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF

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  Chelsea player John Terry (c) is challenged by Jonathan Walters (r) and Steven Nzonzi during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Chelsea at Britannia Stadium on December 22, 2014 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

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  Stoke City’s Marko Arnautovic (L) in action against Chelsea’s Willian during the English Premier League soccer match between Stoke City and Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke, Britain, 22 December 2014. EPA/NIGEL RODDIS

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  Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Stoke City and Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke, Britain, 22 December 2014. EPA/NIGEL RODDIS

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  Chelsea’s Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas celebrates scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Stoke City and Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, central England, on December 22, 2014. Chelsea won the game 2-0. AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF

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  Stoke City’s Manager Mark Hughes during the English Premier League soccer match between Stoke City and Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke, Britain, 22 December 2014. EPA/NIGEL RODDIS

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  Stoke City’s Phil Bardsley (back) challenges Chelsea’s Eden Hazard during the English Premier League soccer match between Stoke City and Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke, Britain, 22 December 2014. EPA/NIGEL RODDIS

Chelsea ensured they will spend Christmas Day on top of the English Premier League as goals from John Terry and Cesc Fabregas gave the leaders a gritty 2-0 victory at Stoke on Monday.

It was not the most fluent performance from Jose Mourinho’s side but, at a venue where Arsenal recently lost 3-2, it was the result and not the performance which mattered most and the Blues now sit three points clear of second placed Manchester City heading into the hectic festive programme.

City's win over Crystal Palace on Saturday had drawn them level on points with Chelsea, but this was an emphatic response from the west Londoners as they bid to wrestle the title from the Eastlands outfit.

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