Does Antonio Conte have the strength in depth at Chelsea to fulfil his tactical blueprint?

Precisely 12 months ago, in the throes of a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Arsenal, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte tried an experiment that was to change the course of the season.

The game was gone but switching to a three-man defence seemed to instantly bring more stability. Conte started with a 3-4-3 at Hull the following weekend, won convincingly and the charge to the title was under way.

It was not just defensive security that was improved. Now, with wing-backs working the flanks, Eden Hazard was able to flourish in his preferred central role. Conte had slotted in the pieces of the jigsaw and with a settled side and no other distractions, the way to the Premier League crown was clear.

This season, with re-entry to the Champions League - a testing night in Madrid against Atletico looms on Wednesday - along with injury and suspensions to contend with, Conte's system, and depth of playing squad, is under greater scrutiny.

Stoke's bet365 Stadium is always a testing crucible and even Alvaro Morata's early strike did little to lower the temperature in the stadium on the hill, though when Pedro drove in the visitors' second on the half hour, the groundwork for victory had been laid.

You would not change a winning system so Conte's 3-4-3 blueprint remains the go-to formation even if he has to contend with cast changes. So while Hazard, recovering from a broken ankle, was among the Chelsea substitutes, this was principally an examination of a new-look back three, without the suspended David Luiz and the rested Gary Cahill.

Thus newcomers Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen slotted in alongside Cesar Azpilicueta to solid effect. Rudiger has already shown himself to be strong and fast, and the Stamford Bridge crowd have been quick to appreciate his efforts. Christensen, playing in the middle of the three, also caught the eye, especially when Stoke began to come on strong after the interval.

That was the prompt for Conte to reshape the game plan, with Cahill replacing yellow-carded Marcos Alonso, who had clearly received his final warning from referee Mike Dean after two ill-advised challenges in quick succession.

It was also time to tinker with the formation, Chelsea switching to four at the back with Cahill slotting in at right-back.

Chelsea's intentions were even clearer when goalscorer Pedro was sacrificed for the more tenacious qualities of Cesc Fabregas midway through the second half. Content to sit deep and play on the break, the tactic worked to perfection when Morata raced away to score his second and Chelsea's third with 12 minutes remaining, then added his side's fourth four minutes later.

Stoke had huffed and puffed but Conte's strategy had worked to perfection.

The Verdict

Moment which changed the match

You could feel the sense of deflation around the stadium as Stoke's rearguard was punctured within 80 seconds when Alvaro Morata ran through to give Chelsea the lead.

Most influential player

Alvaro Morata tortured Stoke's makeshift defence but credit also to N'golo Kante, again a driving force in Chelsea's midfield.

Crowd rating

"Where's your famous atmosphere," sang the Chelsea fans after their side went two up. 5

Referee rating

Marcos Alonso was a little fortunate to remain on the pitch after two yellow-card worthy offences. Mike Dean only gave one, much to home fans' disgust. 5

Match rating

With the outcome never in much doubt, a little too predictable to be a thriller. 5