Intro:

Reaction after Chelsea claim 2-0 win, away from home, against Stoke in the English Premier League on Monday (December 22).

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Mark Hughes, Stoke City Manager:

"Yeah I think so. I think the worst possible start for us occurred unfortunately and the one thing you don't want to do is concede early to a top quality side such as Chelsea and we talked about that until we were blue - or red - in the face, whichever colour you like, about making sure we do our jobs, at set plays and we don't concede easily and after two minutes then it becomes a more difficult evening for us unfortunately. But, credit to us. I thought we stuck at it and we kept on probing. Difficult to get behind Chelsea because they were quite happy to protect their initial lead and they have done it for many years. They are quite able to take the sting out of moments in games when momentum is shifting somewhat and that comes from experience from winning games time and time again. So, we had to deal with that. We had to be mindful that they will always be a threat going the other way as well but didn't really allow them too many clear cut chances, although the qualities they have in the top end of the field will always ask questions, obviously."