Chelsea’s hopes of retaining their Premier League title were all but ended by a 1-1 draw at Stoke City.
The Blues were stunned to find themselves behind on eight minutes when Jon Walters collected the ball on the halfway line and raced past Michael Essien before firing past Petr Cech.
Chelsea responded well and Ashley Cole’s header brought a save from Asmir Begovic before Florent Malouda’s half-volley fired wide, and Begovic then produced a brilliant stop to prevent Frank Lampard from finding the net with a volley from distance.
However, Begovic could not keep his side in front for long and on 33 minutes Didier Drogba met a Nicolas Anelka cross and headed home the equaliser.
Both Anelka and Lampard tried efforts from distances as Chelsea looked to go ahead, and Drogba hen clipped the upright as the Potters hung on.
Stoke almost regained the lead but both Marc Wilson and Robert Huth were denied by the crossbar before Kenwyne Jones fired over the crossbar following a surging run.
Jones then failed to get his header on target before Chelsea produced a late rally, but Fernando Torres was denied by a deflection and Drogba again hit the frame of the goal as Carlo Ancelotti’s men fell 11 points behind league leaders Manchester United.