Stoke boss Mark Hughes hails 'big performance' against Chelsea

Mark Hughes was left praising a "big performance" from Stoke as they compounded Chelsea's misery with a 1-0 victory over the champions on Saturday.

Having knocked the Capital One Cup holders out of the competition on penalties just 11 days prior, the Potters produced a similarly resilient display as they condemned Chelsea to a seventh league defeat of the season.

"It was a big performance once again, we knew we'd have to reach the levels we did in the League Cup game and we surpassed them today at times," Hughes told Saturday Night Football.

Stoke deepen Chelsea misery

Chelsea's struggles continued as Marko Arnautovic's volley earned Stoke a 1-0 victory on Saturday.

"Chelsea kept on coming, and credit to them they got fantastic technical players, but we stood up and got people around the ball to good affect and the goal that won the game was excellent.

"The game was similar to the Cup game a few weeks ago, Chelsea came out of the blocks fast which they always do.

"The likes of Willian and [Eden] Hazard will always ask questions of you so, at times, you have to ride your luck, but overall we deserved the luck of the game.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

"We played a real part in the game, took the game to Chelsea with good effect on numerous occasions and counter attacked well when we were under pressure. All in all it was a really pleasing performance."

Marko Arnautovic's sumptuous second-half volley was enough to overcome a Chelsea side who travelled to the Potteries without their manager Jose Mourinho, who was serving a one-match stadium ban.

But Hughes refused to let the circumstances take the gloss off Stoke victory, adding: "Marko was excellent today, both offensively and defensively.

"Chelsea are a good side, they're having their problems at the moment but we asked questions of them that a lot of teams wouldn't have been able to so I'm pleased."