Struggling Stoke - missing five defenders and fielding two teenagers at full-back - trailed within three minutes when Antonio Rudiger headed home Willian's free-kick.

The Premier League champions, who rested Eden Hazard, doubled their lead when Danny Drinkwater fired home on the bounce from 25 yards out, and Pedro added a third from just outside the box with only a quarter of the game gone.

Stoke striker Mame Biram Diouf had a goal harshly ruled out after using his upper arm to control a long ball before smashing home.

The game almost descended into a training match, with Chelsea - who move above Manchester United into second place - going 50 minutes before adding a fourth through Willian's penalty.

Davide Zappacosta scored a late fifth from 20 yards out as the Blues made it five wins from their last six games.

Conte led the Blues to the title last season in his first year in charge, but they now trail leaders Manchester City by 13 points.

"Today, we finished a great year for us - for the club, for the fans, for the players, for me," Conte told BBC Match of the Day.

"For a first experience in the league, to win the title is not easy, so I have to thank the club for giving me this opportunity.

"Manchester City are on a fantastic run. We just have to give everything in every game to try and get three points, and then at the end of the season we will see what happens."

With Wednesday's trip to top-four rivals Arsenal in mind, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte left Hazard on the bench and never needed to consider bringing him on.

The game was so straightforward, he could probably have rested his entire first 11.

Conte made three changes from the side who beat Brighton 2-0 on Boxing Day, and the first four goals were scored or set up by the trio to come in - Pedro, Willian and Drinkwater.

Rudiger rose highest to head an early opener from Willian's set piece, before Pedro's deflected cross found Drinkwater to smash home his first Chelsea goal.

Willian then picked out Pedro to score a third.

The second half lacked any competitive edge and Conte was able to bring off N'Golo Kante, Alvaro Morata - who missed two relatively straightforward chances - and Victor Moses to keep them fresh for Wednesday.

Willian scored a penalty after he had been fouled by Geoff Cameron, and Zappacosta scored his first Premier League goal from just outside the box late on.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes is under pressure and a heavy defeat against his old club will not have helped. The Potters, who are two points above the relegation zone, have now conceded five goals or more in three Premier League games this season.

In truth, circumstances and tactical decisions meant a positive result against the champions never appeared likely.

Stoke had four defenders out injured, and Kurt Zouma was ineligible to play against his parent club. Stoke had only ever started teenagers in five Premier League games, but Josh Tymon and Thomas Edwards both faced the Blues.

Hughes rested Xherdan Shaqiri, Joe Allen, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Peter Crouch, with the home game against relegation rivals Newcastle on Monday in mind.

The visitors only had one shot in the entire game - Saido Berahino's feeble effort at Thibaut Courtois when through on goal. The striker has not scored a goal since February 2016.

Reaction: Hughes 'pragmatic' with his team

Hughes defends Stoke team selection at Chelsea

Stoke boss Hughes confirmed that he rested several key players because of their two-day turnaround, adding he would have named a stronger side if his team had four days off like Chelsea.

"There was always going to be a risk with the back four but they're all we had," he told BBC Match of the Day. "The two young lads in defence did their best in difficult circumstances. The back four had never played together.

"We've got to go again on Monday so we had to protect a number of players. I take responsibility for this, it was my decision. But the feeling is we're in better shape for Monday - if we win that, we've had a decent Christmas period.

"If we had Chelsea's schedule, we'd have picked Xherdan Shaqiri, Joe Allen and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and had a go. We've been put in a difficult position.

"Our record here is poor. It was going to be very difficult to get a positive result even with a full-strength side. Sometimes you have to be pragmatic and take your medicine."

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte told BBC Sport: "Today we were very good, we started very well and to score twice after 15 minutes, another clean sheet, there are a lot of positives after this game.

"But at the same time we know we must continue to work and improve, and prepare for a very difficult game against Arsenal.

"Every win is important for us. Today it was important to get three points to continue our positive run."

Man of the match - Pedro