Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has said he tweaked his side's formation at Stoke because he was not content with just a point.
The Premier League leaders snatched victory three minutes from the end of normal time, having seen a Willian free kick cancelled out by Jonathan Walters' penalty before half-time.
Conte brought on Cesc Fabregas with 20 minutes to go, replacing Victor Moses and altering his 3-4-3 system to a back four to accommodate his substitute in a central role.
The move paid dividends three minutes from time when Gary Cahill lashed in a winner to take the Londoners 13 points clear at the top.