While a third successive 6-0 victory never looked on the cards in a comparatively low-key Blues display, the result was rarely in doubt aside from a moment midway through the second half when Whelan's superb effort bounced down off the underside of Petr Cech's bar.

BBC: Chelsea 2-0 Stoke

In the replay, Benitez's deployment of Ba, Eden Hazard and Juan Mata up front proved key -- as did Petr Cech's superb one-handed save to deny Javier Hernandez's header to keep Chelsea ahead in the game.

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Midfielder Frank Lampard said he and his team-mates have been taken aback by the speed of Cech's return.

BBC: Chelsea keeper Cech had surgery on his skull in October