Chelsea 2-1 Stoke City: Loic Remy scores winner for Blues

Chelsea are limping to the Premier League title; so, too, is star striker Diego Costa.

Jose Mourinho’s side haven’t been incredibly convincing in recent weeks and they stumbled to victory against Stoke, who saw Charlie Adam score with a breathtaking 66-yard rocket.

But the win came at a major cost as Costa suffered a recurrence of the hamstring injury that has dogged him all season.

The injury will sideline the forward for at least two weeks, meaning he is set to miss the games against Queens Park Rangers and Manchester United.

‘I don’t say it was a gamble because we did every test, every scan,’ said Mourinho. ‘The player trained two days 100 per cent with the team. The medical department were convinced he was ready.

‘The player was convinced he was ready, not for 90 per cent but to play and help the team.

‘As a manager you have to risk things tactically, medical department has to do the same if they want to be top medical departments like ours is.

‘A safe medical department can’t work with me. The department that says an injury of two weeks needs one or two months cannot work with me. People with fear who cannot work with risks do not work with me. Today, between them, the player and myself, things didn’t happen the best way.’

Chelsea were never in top gear — but still found a way to defeat resolute Stoke. That’s a title-winning knack.

Mourinho feels his side need five wins and a draw from their remaining eight games. It’ll take a miraculous capitulation for them not to win the title from here.

‘A victory is a victory. Winning 1-0 in April is like 10-0 in November. For us it is no different. You win titles playing well over a season, the team is very good, but in the countdown it’s about everything.’