Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has said the absence of Ricardo Fuller and Rory Delap had a major influence on their 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea.

Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke: "Ric's got a virus and preferred to come off the bench, in case he let anyone down.

"To lose him and to lose Rory was a massive blow for us but I thought the lads competed well.

"We've played two top teams, Liverpool and Chelsea, and we've competed with both teams."