Stoke as resolute as ever in stronghold

Stoke C 0 Chelsea 0:ENCOUNTERING STOKE City is a repetitive experience but few learn from it. Chelsea drew at the Britannia Stadium as they did last season, although there was not even a goal apiece in Andre Villas-Boas's first competitive fixture. Many of the questions raised by the appointment of the Portuguese remain because this hard-fought contest revealed little about how his side will fare in the more considered matches.

It was always certain that Stoke would operate in their well-drilled manner and show the intense competitiveness that ensure the atmosphere the fans create has a strong sense of pride to it. Time worked in Chelsea’s favour to a degree as measured play started to look feasible once tiredness had set in. Nonetheless Chelsea had a predictability that assisted Tony Pulis’s men.

The evidence here was virtually enough to reactivate speculation about Luka Modric leaving Tottenham Hotspur for Chelsea. Given that Villas-Boas needs that type of individualism so badly, the valuation of the midfielder can only rise. At least there is no reason for a Chelsea fan to despair over the line-up as a whole. It is still well-drilled and resolute.

The difficulties could lie with the fashioning of goals. As Frank Lampard edges closer to being reclassified as a veteran it is implausible to suppose that he will roam between penalty areas and regularly drill shots into the net.

When Chelsea endure a stalemate, attention turns to Fernando Torres. In view of the huge fee paid to Liverpool for him in January, curiosity about the Spanish striker and his fortunes will not wane in the near future.

The evidence of a deadlocked match should be mistrusted where he is concerned. Torres was fit and resolute. Chelsea brought on Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka but the man who had started at centre-forward could not be taken off while there was realistic hope of victory for Chelsea. Torres was withdrawn only in the 90th minute when playmaker Yossi Benayoun got a late run at the striker’s expense.

The happiness rests with the hosts. Stoke can be proud that this ground is such a stronghold.

Their method is imposed with admirable thoroughness and there are nuances to this method as well, particularly since Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant are on the flanks, but the crowd at this ground relishes the direct approach as if it were a reproach to opponents such as Chelsea.

It was unfortunate that Etherington, who adds finesse to Stoke, did not last the day and had to be substituted because of injury.

Villas-Boas might have been bemused even though he knew what to expect. His own side, like many others who come here, found themselves playing a little like Stoke. It was largely determination before the interval that led to Torres bearing his way into the area, only for him to miskick.

Tony Pulis’s team do not flourish by accident. After a powerful campaign that swept them to the FA Cup final they are in the Europa League qualifiers and seem set to advance further, having already beaten Hajduk Split home and away. Those fixtures were helpful, too, in making them look more ready than Chelsea for the realities of a testing fixture in August.

Stoke’s style works and rests on skills of their own. If Chelsea were largely subdued in the first half, they at least found some rhythm after the break, with Stoke unable to sustain the energy levels on show earlier. There was at least the obvious possibility of a goal. Mikel John Obi had a drive tipped over in the 56th minute but Chelsea felt closer to a goal just before that. Frank Lampard might have had a penalty but did seem to be going down before Marc Wilson challenged.

Torres was soon to miskick when Terry headed a Florent Malouda corner to him. It was a match that could never quite find the one sure touch required.

The afternoon gave Villas-Boas his first piece of substantial evidence to examine. His line-up is sound, with the midfield imposing enough and the defence ready to meet the sort of ordeal that Stoke tried to create for them. The long-throws rained down but Chelsea dealt with them.

For Stoke, though, these are just another bunch of visitors given a tough fixture. Pulis and his men will beam over the outcome. No such luxury for Chelsea, even if they did share the points.