Super Eagles Midfielder Makes 250th Start For Blues

Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel made his 250th start for Chelsea as he partnered Nemanja Matic in midfield in a two-nil win against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Monday.

Mikel joined Chelsea in the summer of 2006.

He has won every major honour at club level with the English Premier League leaders.

John Terry's headed opener from a Cesc Fabregas corner with less than two minutes played gave Chelsea something to defend and Stoke City rarely looked like finding a way through the visitors' determined defensive line.

Chelsea, for their part, often looked dangerous on the break after going ahead, but were unable to build on their breakthrough until Fabregas scuffed a second in 12 minutes from time.

While the result moves Chelsea three points clear at the top, Stoke are 13th following a first defeat in three matches.