Chelsea took one step closer to the Premier League title with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Stoke City on Saturday.

Antonio Conte’s men were looking to go 13 points clear ahead of Tottenham’s clash with Southampton on Sunday, and Willian’s 13th minute strike put them well on their way to doing so.

However, Mark Hughes’ side hit back through a Jon Walters penalty seven minutes before the break after Gary Cahill adjudged to have fouled the Republic of Ireland international, only for Cahill to have the last laugh by firing home three minutes from time to secure the three points for the Blues.

And it was the performance of England international Cahill which was indicative of his season in general, showing champion-like resilience to come back from a frustrating start to ultimately reap the rewards.

The 31-year-old endured a miserable start to the season at Stamford Bridge, with the centre-back having a tough afternoon away at Swansea on September 11, he was dispossessed for the second Swans goal in a 2-2 draw, before suffering a woeful afternoon at Arsenal a few weeks later, making a crucial error to allow Theo Walcott to net the opener on their way to a 3-0 victory.

Questions were asked of the Chelsea defence and manager Conte, and Cahill was one who didn’t escape criticism, a little bit like on Saturday, where his shove, if you can call it that, on Walters almost cost the Blues two points against a resilient Stoke side.

However, just like the season on a whole, Cahill hit back.

He was one of a few Blues defenders who kept his place when Conte implemented a back three against Hull City on October 1, and has since then been excellent, appearing in every single one of Chelsea’s 28 Premier League games this term, and helping them to the joint-best defensive record in the league.

And the same can be said of Saturday. He came back from adversity.

Cahill’s foul on Walters gave the hosts a route back into the game, and although Conte’s men created opportunities in the second half, they looked set to be frustrated by the Potters.

But up stepped the 31-year-old, just like he needed to back in October, this time being in the right place to fire home after Stoke failed to clear a Cesc Fabregas corner.

Cahill was the one that gambled after David Luiz headed towards goal, and there he was to send Chelsea 13 points clear, and within seven wins of the title. It was almost as if it was destined to be him that atoned for the error and sent Conte’s men another step closer to glory.

The England defender deserves enormous credit for fighting back this season, and indeed against Stoke on Saturday, with the 31-year-old showing his champion-like resilience to rebound from a testing start and ultimately prove what a quality defender he is.

That goal may not mathematically clinch Chelsea the title, but it is certainly the sort of result and performance that champions produce – Cahill is indicative of that.

Guest post by Marcus Oades