Mohamed Salah produced a vivid attacking display to mark his first Chelsea start with a powerful strike in the team's 3-0 Premier League victory over Stoke City on Saturday.

The former Basel man fired a powerful first-timer home from inside the area following a superb pull-back from Nemanja Matic to put Chelsea in front after 31 minutes.

His marauding runs down the flanks caused constant menace to Stoke's backline and he had a hand in two more goals to help Chelsea to an important win in the league title race

Salah was making his first start since joining the Blues on a five-and-a-half year deal in the January transfer window, having made four substitute appearances in the elite competition that yielded a goal in the 6-0 drubbing of London rivals Arsenal.

He won a penalty on the hour mark after skipping past his challenger in the area, allowing veteran midfielder Frank Lampard to double the lead on the second attempt after his initial spot-kick was blocked by the keeper.

Another pass from an onrushing Salah found Brazilian midfielder Willian, who curled in a delightful shot into the corner of the net to make it 3-0 in the 72nd minute.

The 21-year-old played the full 90 minutes as coach Jose Mourinho opted to replace the likes of Eden Hazard and Willian to give them some rest ahead of a crucial Champions League last-eight tie at home to Paris Saint-Germain, with Chelsea looking to overcome a 3-1 first-leg deficit.

Mourinho said recently Salah would prove a key Chelsea player next season when he fully adapts to the demands of playing in such a high-profile competition.

However, the Egyptian international said in an interview with beIN Sports on Saturday that he is determined not to wait until next season to establish himself, hoping to help Chelsea claim their first Premier League title since 2010.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)