Here is the evidence in graphical form of how much of this game has been fought out in midfield. Stoke are struggling to get forward while Chelsea, as seen with that Diego Costa chance just now, are doing slightly better.

Image source, Opta

Image source, EPA

Chelsea starting to get a hold in the match, Striker Diego Costa exchanges passes with Pedro, makes his way into the box fires a low effort towards goal which is kept out by the legs of Jack Butland.

The away side's best chance of the contest so far.

As you would expect, a Stoke defender rises to clear the ball away.

Diego Costa battling with Stoke defender Philipp Wollsheid and he earns a corner...

It's not exactly a high quality contest, but one filled with bloodlust and thunder.

A hard-fought mid-table Premier League clash.

A tussle in the box, Ryan Shawcross in the red corner, John Terry in the blue. The Chelsea captain is not happy with the attention the Stoke man is giving him, but he can hardly complain. Referee Anthony Taylor steps in to separate the pair.

Image source, Getty Images

Erik Pieters in the wars again. This time he cops one...somewhere painful.

Wouldn't want to be him at full time, his nose looks a right mess.

Chelsea earn a corner...

...and work a quick one. Willian finds an unmarked Eden Hazard at the edge of the box, but his strike is blocked by a Stoke defender.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at The Britannia Stadium

Image source, Rex Features

You suspect this is the sort of game Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will be enjoying in the comfort of his hotel room - lots of meaty challenges and all the ingredients that would have had him in discussion with the fourth official had he been allowed in.

Stoke's fans - as ever - urging their team forward but Chelsea showing lots of promise in attack.

Diego Costa almost crowned some magnificent work from Pedro and Eden Hazard but couldn't stretch enough.

Rui Faria, as combative a figure as Mourinho on occasions, is now taking his turn in the technical area.

BBC Radio Stoke
Denis Smith, ex-Stoke City defender

"It's a super ball, you can't ask for a better delivery than that. You just need somebody to get on the end of it and Diego Costa couldn't."

Xherdan Shaqiri is enjoying his evening, shimmying this way and that, moving that squat, little body of his as he gets the better of left-back Baba Rahman.

His ball into the box is met by the head of Jon Walters, but the striker can't get it on target.

Stoke are getting the ball in Chelsea's final third but can't find a good pass towards the front man.

At the other end, Eden Hazard expertly controls the ball and whips in a delightful cross, but again, a Chelsea man can't grow enough to get his toe on it. This time Diego Costa was the unfortunate one.

Ooh! A sumptuous free-kick from Chelsea's Willian, in between the defenders and the goal, which Kurt Zouma can't quite get on the end of. Jack Butland sees it go wide.

Just awaiting the opener now...

This is like WWE Royal Rumble, bodies everywhere. These two are really getting stuck into each other.

Ramires with a 30-yard dipping shot which Jack Butland tips over the bar. Was dropping in but at a good height for the England man.

Image source, PA

Jon in Altrincham: Perhaps Jose could dress as a referee? No-one would expect that, surely.

Will: Maybe Jose could disguise himself as a member of the Chelsea defence. No-one has spotted them all season!

The Special One: Enjoying a nice cold beer with fish and chips in my hotel room watching the match. Nice to hear the fans singing my name. I love the Chelsea fans and they love me. Watch us prove our critics wrong by winning today...

HAVE SOME OF THAT! Ryan Shawcross isn't taking any prisoners and comes through the back of Diego Costa, who saw him coming but decided to stand his ground.

Crash! The big Chelsea front man is sent sprawling to the deck and the home fans love that. 

I'm enjoying this match.

Image source, Getty Images

Great chance for the opener for Stoke. As we saw from his Liverpool days, Glen Johnson likes a run forward and he finds himself on the edge of the opposing penalty area.

He turns and executes a low left-footed shot which is bound for the net, but Asmir Begovic pounces full length to keep the ball out.