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Charlie Adam 65-yard wonder-goal reaction: Freddie Flintoff leads plaudits to a 'bloke who looks like a bus driver'

Blackpool FC also reminded everyone he has done it before...

Sunday 05 April 2015 14:17 BST

Charlie Adam unleashes an audacious shot from inside his own half to equalise for Stoke on Saturday at Chelsea (Getty Images)

The internet erupted after Charlie Adam's 65-yard wonder-goal against Chelsea yesterday, former England cricketer Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff offered the best quip, labelling Adam as "a bloke who looks like a bus driver who scored from his own half".

The league leaders Chelsea were unfazed by the spectacular effort which beat Thibaut Courtois though, and recovered to win 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Charlie Adam lets fly from 65 yards

Adam said after the match: "I never knew I had that much power, to beat a quality goalkeeper like that is something special. One that I will always remember. It was one of them that sat up nicely and I saw the goalie off his line. I was lucky enough that it went in. Once in a lifetime this can happen to you, it's great on an individual level - a great way to get my 50th goal in English football - but the team lost and that is the disappointing thing."

Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

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1/24Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

CHELSEA: Thibaut Courtois

Barely made a save before being made to look a little silly by Adam’s sublime strike. Idle thereafter, too. 5

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Branislav Ivanovic

Spent most of the game in the Stoke half, and was not tested defensively. 7

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Gary Cahill

Not tested, at all, due to Stoke’s lack of attacking ambition. Good with the ball at his feet. 6

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

John Terry

The captain has and will have harder tests of his strength than that posed by Mame Diouf. As with Cahill, let off lightly by a blunt Stoke attack. 6

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Cesar Azpilicueta

Got forward well, though his best qualities are as a defender – and they were not needed today. 6

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Nemanja Matic

Clumsy early on, but was not really needed for his defensive qualities. Played further forward to good effect as Chelsea sought a winner. 7

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Cesc Fabregas

Fine save early on to deny Remy, though at fault for the second Chelsea goal with an errant throw out. 8

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Oscar

Withdrawn at half time after a subdued display. Missed a fine chance on 20 minutes. 5

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Willian

Combined well with Hazard on the Chelsea left, and was instrumental in winning the ball back for the second goal. 8

Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Eden Hazard

Bright and inventive. Ran at the Stoke defence early on but shooting wayward. Forced Begovic into several fine second-half saves, and set up the second goal with a bewitching run. 9

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Loic Remy

Always looked a threat, and a more mobile option than Costa. Deflected shot was well saved early on, before he was in the right place for a simple finish. 8

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

From the bench: Didier Drogba

Provided a focal point for the midfield to hit, and was especially important as a defensive help and outlet in the fraught closing stages. 7

Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

STOKE CITY: Asmir Begovic

Fine save early on to deny Remy, though at fault for the second Chelsea goal with an errant throw out. 5

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Geoff Cameron

Had a torrid afternoon with Hazard constantly bearing down on him, and unable to contribute much in the Chelsea half. 3

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Phillip Wollscheid

Gave away the penalty with a clumsy challenge on Fabregas, but nevertheless, along with the unused Marc Muniesa, he looks a canny buy by Mark Hughes. 5

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Ryan Shawcross

Booked on the half hour for hauling down Remy. Solid enough thereafter, and little he could do when Hazard drew him out for Remy’s goal. 6

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Marc Wilson

Stood up well to the Chelsea threat, and was not at fault for either of the goals. 7

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Steven N'Zonzi

Impressive. Hard-working as ever and produced a lovely, curled effort on 27 minutes that had Courtois beaten but sailed just over the bar. 8

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Glenn Whelan

Booked in the first half for a tackle on Fabregas. As bity and niggly as ever, he did a decent job of keeping the Chelsea waves at bay. 7

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Stephen Ireland

Not able to influence the game in an attacking sense. Perhaps lucky not to be booked for persistent fouling, including a poor challenge on Ireland. 5

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Charlie Adam

Only scored one of the best goals of all time, and at a crucial time, to pull Stoke back into the game. 8

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Jon Walters

Like the rest of the Stoke forward line, his effort was exemplary. But his technical ability, or lack of it, is exposed against high-level opposition. 4

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

Mame Biram Diouf

Struggled to hold the ball up, and did not have no much as a sniff of a chance. His defensive work was manful, however. 4

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Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1 - player ratings

From the bench: Peter Crouch

Came on too late to really influence the game. 5

The best reaction....

Adam thanked everyone for their kind words later on last night too...

His former club, Blackpool, were quick to remind everyone that it wasn't even the first time he scored such an outrageous goal...

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