Stoke City held Chelsea to a scoreless draw at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Chelsea enjoyed periods of dominance during their first Premier League game under André Villas-Boas, but Stoke also caused problems for their opponents, especially with high balls into the box.
Stoke threatened early on but a misdirected cross from José Bosingwa tested Asmir Begović at the other end, before Fernando Torres shot wide from the edge of the box.
Whilst Stoke continued to look dangerous, particularly from set-pieces and crosses, as the Potters normally do, Chelsea’s pace and passing in advanced positions began to cause troubles for the home defenders.
The first half ended with Torres producing a jinking run inside the Stoke box, but just as the striker was about to the pull the trigger, Robert Huth got a vital touch on the ball.
Ryan Shawcross was forced to block from Salomon Kalou early in the second period and Torres failed to make effective contact from close range following a John Terry header, with the Spaniard claiming a foul by Jonathan Woodgate, before penalty appeals were again waved away when Frank Lampard appeared to be tripped.
Seconds after Lampard’s fall, Jon Mikel Obi's dipping volley forced Begović into a fingertip save, as Chelsea dominated.
After Stoke’s power to threaten Chelsea’s goal was diminished with 20 minutes remaining when long throw specialist Rory Delap was forced off with a hamstring problem, Chelsea went close through substitute Nicolas Anelka, with the Frenchman seeing his shot tipped on to the bar by Begović, who then kept out Kalou’s underpowered header from a Torres cross.
Alex also failed to generate sufficient power when presented with a headed chance, and that opportunity proved to be the last decent opening of the clash, despite a frantic conclusion.