Transfer deadline: 26 days 6 hours 50 minutes
 

Mark Hughes reflects on "difficult day"

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes laments "a difficult day" after his side are swept aside 5-0 by champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has admitted that his side suffered "a difficult day" as they were swept aside 5-0 at champions Chelsea this afternoon.

Antonio Rudiger, Danny Drinkwater, Pedro, Willian - from the spot - and Davide Zappacosta were all on target for Antonio Conte's side at Stamford Bridge in what proved to be a game to forget for the Potters.

After picking up four points from their two games either side of Christmas Day, Hughes's side end 2017 outside of the relegation zone but just two points above the drop following a disastrous run of six defeats in their last nine.

"It was a difficult day for us, clearly we were short of numbers in defensive areas, and we made a couple of mistakes too," Hughes told Match of the Day. "We need to get a few players back to give us that defensive solidity, we had two young lads in today, who tried their best in difficult circumstances.

"We had a few decent periods in the second half, when we managed to hold onto the ball, and I thought Saido Berahino looked sharp. We've got to go again on Monday - so that's why we had to rest a few players - so I take responsibility for that. If we win on Monday, it's a decent Christmas period for us. The schedule tests you and it will test us more than the bigger clubs, because they've got that squad depth.

"The reality was it was always going to be difficult to get a result here - even with a full strength squad - sometimes you have to be pragmatic."

Next up for Stoke is a home encounter with fellow strugglers Newcastle United on New Year's Day.

Read Next:
Conte: 'Win caps off a great year'
>

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!
You May Like
Recommended Next on SM
Conte: 'Win caps off a great year'
Ross Barkley 'undergoes Chelsea medical'
This weekend's biggest games in world football
Chelsea 'want Diego Simeone this summer'
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City22202064135162
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd22145345162947
3Chelsea22144441162546
4Liverpool22128250252544
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs22125542212141
6Arsenal22116540281239
7Burnley229761919034
8Leicester CityLeicester228683432230
9Everton227692534-927
10Watford2274113140-925
11Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2266101835-1724
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton225891727-1023
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2264122030-1022
14Crystal Palace2257102033-1322
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham2257102540-1522
16Bournemouth2256112234-1221
17Southampton2248102132-1120
18Stoke CityStoke2255122347-2420
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom22210101630-1416
20Swansea CitySwansea2244141334-2116
Scroll for more - Tap for full version

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City22202064135162
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd22145345162947
3Chelsea22144441162546
4Liverpool22128250252544
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs22125542212141
6Arsenal22116540281239
7Burnley229761919034
8Leicester CityLeicester228683432230
9Everton227692534-927
10Watford2274113140-925
11Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2266101835-1724
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton225891727-1023
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2264122030-1022
14Crystal Palace2257102033-1322
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham2257102540-1522
16Bournemouth2256112234-1221
17Southampton2248102132-1120
18Stoke CityStoke2255122347-2420
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom22210101630-1416
20Swansea CitySwansea2244141334-2116
Scroll for more - Tap for full version

Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in with Facebook to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
This site uses cookies for Analytics. Click to accept and dismiss this message.