Saturday 30 December 2017 18:31, UK
Mark Hughes has defended his decision to make six changes to his Stoke team for the 5-0 defeat at Chelsea.
Goals from Antonio Rudiger (4), Danny Drinkwater (9), Pedro (24), Willian (74) and Davide Zappacosta (88) sent Chelsea to a very comfortable victory.
Hughes made wholesale changes to his team, including playing teenagers Tom Edwards and Josh Tymon.
The Stoke boss admitted he was resting some his key players, like Joe Allen and Peter Crouch, for their clash with Newcastle on New Year's Day.
"We were stretched today - a little bit too much," he said.
"We didn't have the tools to have a go at Chelsea. We're playing today, we're playing Monday. We've got injuries in key areas. That back four clearly hasn't played together, with two young full-backs. They found it difficult, which is understandable. It's a huge leap to what they're used to. At times they'll make mistakes and at this level you get punished. You have to factor that in and we understand that.
"We have to make sure we're right for Monday - it's a big game against Newcastle. If we can get maximum points out of that, then that means it's two wins and a draw from the Christmas period - that would be a good return.
"We might get criticised for the selection.
"Sometimes you have to be pragmatic. Sometimes you have to make decisions that some may shy away from - that's my job. It was my decision to try and protect key players."
