André Villas-Boas may consider this result a fair return but however determined the resilience from a disciplined and organised Stoke side was, for Chelsea it was two points lost.

After a sterile first half, Chelsea turned up the pressure, getting the ball down and passing tidily. But they lacked the subtlety or killer instinct to advance into high and wide forward positions and create chances. It was in this period of ascendency that Villas-Boas might have shown more intent.

With Stoke clearing for distance and defending in numbers, the ball was continually returned under Blue control. The defensive Mikel John Obi, who had been a steady first-half contributor, became a luxury, so comfortable was Chelsea's possession. Frank Lampard and Ramires were in control of Rory Delap and Glenn Whelan, forcing them deep, but neither of the visitors' first two substitutions – Nicolas Anelka for Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba for Salomon Kalou – increased the threat to Stoke. A natural, creative wide dribbler was needed, or possibly an advanced creator in midfield, to get behind Stoke's strong defensive wall.

Chelsea lacked the width or natural creativity in midfield to really trouble Stoke. Photograph: Graphic

Chelsea's 4-3-3 formation can be attractive but when they are faced with obstinate defenders, one of the front three has to stretch opponents wide. But Drogba, Anelka and the lively Fernando Torres, playing here as a front threesome, would each prefer the central role. While Chelsea continue to eye Tottenham's Luka Modric, it may be more advantageous for them to empty their transfer kitty and procure a flying wide man for these occasions.

When José Mourinho faced stubborn resistance he was not afraid to tweak his side's shape: shifting Michael Essien from central midfield to rampaging full-back comes to mind. Chelsea have a solid base and there were few poor individual performances here, but the thought persists that when the team is so comfortable against a deep defence and need a spark, the man in the "Makélélé" role can be sacrificed for a creative wide talent.

Villas-Boas will soon see that he can afford to be more adventurous with these talented individuals.