Jose Mourinho reckons Chelsea’s battling victory over Stoke City this evening saw them take another massive step towards clinching the Premier League title.

Eden Hazard opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Charlie Adam stunned Stamford Bridge with one of the goals of the season from well inside his own half.

But Loic Remy popped up with his second winning goal in as many games to settle the game and it leaves Chelsea in pole position to land the crown.

The Blues lead second-placed Arsenal by seven points, with Manchester United a further point behind in third, while holders Manchester City trail by nine points in fourth.

Mourinho said: "The importance is obvious.

"We started the game needing six wins and one draw to be champions and now we need five wins and a draw so it is a massive victory for us.

"It was difficult but deserved. In the first half we controlled the game and had the ball and tried to penetrate through a very well-organised road block.

Points in the bag: Chelsea's Eden Hazard and Willian applaud the fans at the end of the match

"This is normal of the pressure on the teams playing to be champions or not be relegated, it is the pressure of the final month of every championship.

“I wouldn't expect in this moment to play beautifully and win 4-0 or 5-0."

Diego Costa limped off with a recurrence of the hamstring injury which saw him start the fixture from the bench in west London.

The Spanish international striker’s appearance lasted just 11 minutes but Mourinho defended his decision to throw on his top marksman.

He added: "If my medical department decide to take four weeks to recover Diego it wouldn't happen, but in football you need high risk sometimes.

"As a manager, I risked it in the second half and played more offensive.

“The medical department risked a little bit, but in all the scans they did two days ago the muscle was clean and the player trained twice."