Loic Remy was the hero once again as Chelsea claimed a pyrrhic 2-1 victory at home to Stoke City in Saturday’s Premier League evening kick-off, which witnessed a wonder strike from 65 yards out.

The result helped the Blues open a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings with a game in hand, ahead of Arsenal that eased to a 4-1 demolition of Liverpool in the day’s early kick-off.

Remy was handed a place in the starting line-up in place of Diego Costa who had just recovered from a hamstring problem picked up just before the international break.

And the French striker almost gave Chelsea an early lead with his deflected shot headed goalwards, only for Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to make a reflex stop.

Eden Hazard however broke the deadlock for Chelsea six minutes before half-time, sending Begovic the wrong way with a penalty that was earned after Cesc Fabregas was brought down in the area.

But Charlie Adam ensured both teams went into the break level when he caught Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois off-guard with his outrageous effort from inside the Stoke half on the stroke of half-time.

Adam’s contender for goal of the season was the first Stoke had scored at Stamford Bridge in six years, as the visitors threatened to extend a recent run of one win in four matches for Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho introduced Costa in place of Oscar at the start of the second half, but the move backfired just 11 minutes later when he pulled a hamstring and had to be replaced.

Hazard had an effort stopped by Begovic, who also did well to keep out a deflected Willian freekick, only to undo his heroics with an error which allowed Chelsea get the winning goal.

The Stoke goalkeeper carelessly rolled the ball out, with Willian picking up possession and passing to Hazard who teed up Remy to tap-in the winner just after the hour mark.

Steve N’Zonzi saw an effort hit the Chelsea post late on as the Blues held on for a second narrow win in succession.