Premier League: Stoke 0 Chelsea 0

Andre Villas-Boas was forced to settle for a goalless draw against Stoke City in his managerial debut with Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday.

The result was largely due to Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic who kept the Potters in it with some fantastic saves, thwarting the Blues’ three-pronged attack, especially in the second half.

The home side made a strong start roared on by their increasingly excitable fans but it was Chelsea who forced the first save of any real note which came from an unlikely source in Jose Bosingwa.

The Portuguese full-back bombed forward and unleashed a cross which had Begovic scrambling to his near post.

Fernando Torres, who started the match despite suffering concussion midweek while playing for Spain, was next to try his luck but he dragged his 20 yard shot wide of the target.

The Potters bombarded the Chelsea defence with an assault of long throws and high balls into the box typifying their sometimes unattractive, but effective, style of play however the opening 30 minutes elapsed without either side breaking the deadlock.

Ramires sought to change that with a fine run that deserved better than the final outcome. The Chelsea midfielder drove at the hosts’ defence, finding a rare chink in the Potters rearguard before squaring the ball across goal but no-one was there to take advantage of the chance.

Stoke were next to threaten and had appeals for a penalty waved away by Mark Halsey as Jonathan Walters looked to bring the ball down in the box, but it appeared to hit Blues defender John Terry on the right shoulder before he cleared the danger, leaving the striker perplexed.

Rory Delap floated a delightful ball to the back post as the hosts piled on the pressure but Alex nodded the ball behind to safety – feeling the presence of Kenwyne Jones lurking behind him – which ensured that the score would remain goalless at half-time.

After the break, Chelsea’s flair threatened to break the deadlock but they had two penalty claims turned down in quick succession. Firstly Torres went down under the challenge of Jonathan Woodgate and then Frank Lampard went surging into the box and fell rather easily to the ground although there may have been slight contact.

Jon Obi Mikel nearly silenced the home fans with a stunning volley from 30 yards out but Begovic reacted brilliantly to tip the ball over the bar.

Florent Malouda stung the palms of the Potters’ keeper moments later as the Blues started to find their rhythm.

The home side responded well and another arrowed throw-in from Delap caused panic and confusion in the box with Petr Cech caught underneath the ball but it would not fall kindly for Jonathan Walters and the Blues survived.

Nicolas Anelka was brought on for the ineffectual Malouda midway through the second half as Villas-Boas sought more attacking impetus upfront and the Frenchman nearly provided the opener with an exquisite chip from the angle of the box.

Torres then produced a great cross to pick out Salomon Kalou but the Ivorian could only direct his header straight at the goalkeeper, adding to his manager’s frustration and signalling the end of his day by being replaced by Didier Drogba.

The Blues continued to pile on the pressure but the Potters defence stood firm and held on till the end.