Chelsea secured a dramatic victory over Stoke City as late goals propelled them to a 2-1 win to lift some pressure off manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Didier Drogba was once again dropped from the side with Scolari preferring Nicolas Anelka up front. Rory Delap's throw ins once again proved to be a menace for the Chelsea defense who struggled to clear the long throws.

Salomon Kalou had a great chance to put Chelsea in front but the midfielder somehow managed to miss the target from six yards out after Frank Lampard had done well to find him with a great free kick.

Nicolas Anelka, Lampard and Ashley Cole all had decent chances to break the deadlock but Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen was in excellent for the visitors. Michael Ballack had a great chance to score five minutes into the second half headed wide of the target from close range.

Stoke snatched an unlikely lead on the hour mark when a swift counter attack when James Beattie put Delap through and the full back made no mistake in converting his chance. Chelsea stepped up the pressure but the Stoke defense held on bravely to deny the hosts.

Just when it looked like Stoke would steal another upset win, Juliano Belletti scored the equalizer, heading home Franco Di Santo's cross. Lampard snatched the win for Chelsea in injury time with a thumping drive from the edge of the area to spark wild celebrations both on and off the field.