Marko Arnautovic condemns Blues to seventh defeat as Jose Mourinho banned

Chelsea's struggles continued as Marko Arnautovic's second-half volley earned Stoke City a 1-0 victory over the reigning champions on Saturday Night Football.

Manager Jose Mourinho was not at the Britannia Stadium due to his one-match stadium ban but his side's alarming slump continued, the visitors failing to make the most of a dominant first-half display as Arnautovic's spectacular effort (53) earned the Potters three points.

The result leaves Chelsea - who have lost seven of their 12 league games - just three points above the relegation zone, and 13 points adrift of the top-four places, while Stoke, who also knocked the Blues out of the Capital One Cup a fortnight ago, climb to 12th in the Premier League table.

Shaqiri was a constant threat in the first half, giving Chelsea left-back Baba Rahman a torrid time and the Swiss international almost turned provider for Jon Walters on 28 minutes, but the Irishman, who signed a new two-and-a-half year deal at Stoke ahead of kick-off, headed his cross over.

Chelsea mounted a late push for the breakthrough but Butland was on hand again to keep parity, denying Costa with his feet five minutes before the interval.

Mark Hughes's half-time team-talk appeared to have the desired effect as an improved Stoke began the second period the stronger of the two sides. And within eight minutes they had they finally broken Chelsea's resolve.

Player ratings

Stoke: Butland (8), Johnson (7), Shawcross (8), Wollscheid (8), Pieters (7), Adam (6), Whelan (7), Shaqiri (8), Krkic (6), Arnautovic (8), Walters (7).

Subs used: Afellay (4), Diouf (4), Cameron (5).

Chelsea: Begovic (7), Azpilicueta (5), Zouma (6), Terry (6), Baba (4), Ramires (6), Matic (6), Pedro (6), Willian (6), Hazard (6), Costa (6).

Subs used: Fabregas (5), Oscar (6), Remy (6).

Man of the match: Xherdan Shaqiri