Chelsea lost for a third straight Premier League match for the first time under Roman Abramovich's ownership as they were beaten at Stoke City.
Marko Arnautovic's acrobatic second-half effort proved the difference between the two sides at the Britannia Stadium as the Blues slipped to 16th in the table.
Pedro cracked an effort off the post in the second half and there were genuine claims for a penalty but the troubled side couldn't find an equaliser.
Moment of the match
When substitute Loic Remy leapfrogged the onrushing challenge of Jack Butland with just five minutes to go, it looked for all the world that the referee would point to the spot.
The Frenchman was first to the ball and knocked it past the Stoke keeper, whose momentum took him towards Remy and saw him lose his footing on the slippery surface.
Had he stayed on the ground, instead of hurrying to his feet, it would surely have been a penalty and could have resulted in Chelsea avoiding yet another defeat.
Man of the match
Chelsea had more than their fair share of possession but they failed to convert their chances.
Former Bayern Munich playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri caught the eye for the home side and the Blues missed someone in their ranks today with the guile and confidence of the Switzerland international.
Eden Hazard's performance will have been pleasing for Chelsea fans though as he was full of running throughout after a slow start to the campaign by his standards.
View from the dugout
Jose Mourinho was unable to take his place in the dugout as he serves a one-match stadium ban following comments he made to the referee during Chelsea’s recent defeat to West Ham.
In his absence, it was left up to assistant first-team coaches Silvino Louro, Rui Faria and Steve Holland to carry out his plans at the Britannia.
There was a return to the starting line-up for Hazard but no place in the squad for a fit-again Branislav Ivanovic.
Oscar and Cesc Fabregas were called upon from the bench when Chelsea fell behind. Loic Remy was the last roll of the dice.
Line-ups
Chelsea: Begovic; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Terry (c), Baba (Oscar); Ramires (Remy), Matic; Willian, Hazard, Pedro (Fabregas) ; Diego Costa.
Chelsea subs (not used): Amelia, Cahill, Mikel, Kenedy.
Stoke City: Butland; Pieters, Wollscheid, Shawcross, Johnson; Whelan, Adam (Affelay), Shaqiri (Diouf), Arnautovic, Bojan (Cameron); Walters.
Subs (not used): Haughaard, Ireland, Wilson, Crouch
