London: Chelsea needed a late winner from Ashley Cole to beat Stoke City 1-0 and move three points clear at the top of the Premier League on Saturday.
The European champions, without a win in their last three matches in all competitions, moved on to 13 points from five matches to lead the standings from Everton and West Bromwich Albion.
England defender Cole, who had not scored in the league for over two years, struck with five minutes to play when he hammered the ball past Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic at Stamford Bridge.
RESULTS
Everton 3 Swansea 0; Chelsea 1 Stoke 0; Southampton 4 Aston Villa 1; West Bromwich 1 Reading 0; West Ham 1 Sunderland 1; Fulham 2 Wigan 1.
