Chelsea continued their perfect start to the season as Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba strikes secured a 2-0 win over Stoke.
The Blues could even afford to miss a first-half penalty through Frank Lampard as they consolidated top place in the Premier League without ever hitting top gear in Saturday's clash at Stamford Bridge.
It wasn't quite the performance Chelsea fans have become used to after 6-0 thrashings of both West Brom and Wigan but three victories in as many games means Chelsea are now hot title favourites.
A gritty Stoke side started the game strongly and even had a couple of early chances - Dean Whitehead forcing Petr Cech into action with a fierce shot and Jon Walters lobbing onto the roof of the net.
But Chelsea, who won this fixture 7-0 last season, were always going to dominate possession and eventually took control.
The home side should have taken the lead after 10 minutes when Malouda was brought down for a soft penalty, but Lampard fired his effort weakly at keeper Thomas Sorensen.
It was Lampard's third miss in a row from the penalty spot having also failed in The FA Cup Final and in a friendly international for England against Japan.
But it made no difference in the end as Chelsea, who also hit the bar through Ashley Cole, eventually broke Stoke's resistance in the 32nd minute.
It was captain John Terry who created the opener, thundering into a tackle on Kenwyne Jones on the half-way line before racing forward setting Malouda free with a casual through-ball.
The Frenchman finished smartly for his third goal this season.
Stoke came incredibly close to equalising through substitute Glenn Whelan, whose 25-yard effort beat keeper Petr Cech but hit the crossbar, landed on the goal line and bounced to safety.
But once Sorensen brought down Nicolas Anelka for a second penalty - this one converted by Drogba after 77 minutes - the game was over.