Stoke manager Tony Pulis admits his side will be entering the lion's den when they take on Chelsea. Despite going down 3-1 against Manchester United in the Community Shield, the Blues have made a formidable start to the defence of their Barclays Premier League title, defeating West Brom 6-0 on the opening day of the season before registering the same scoreline at Wigan last week. Stoke - who in losing 2-1 to Wolves and Tottenham have also posted identical results in their two league games so far - travel to Stamford Bridge having been beaten there 7-0 towards the end of the 2009-10 campaign and Pulis knows the Potters will have plenty to do if they are to avoid another mauling. "They are a top side and they deserve to be a top side with the players they have got," Pulis said. "We know how difficult it is going to be and they have started like a house on fire, so we are going into the lion's den. "On the back of getting beaten by Manchester United at Wembley, that might have been the kick up the backside they needed because they have really flown out of the blocks."
Source: PA
Source: PA