Diego Costa, meanwhile, wins a free-kick almost 40 yards out. Distance is no barrier to David Luiz, though - he takes the fast bowler's run-up and delivers a bouncer that Lee Grant flaps at like a tail-ender. Geoff Cameron is first to the loose ball to clear, and Stoke survive a mini-scare.

Saido Berahino's race is run. The Stoke striker is withdrawn as Mame Biram Diouf comes on.

N'Golo Kante nudges the ball forward through the centre to Costa - but Bruno Martins Indi is across and times the challenge well to knock the ball out for a throw. It's easy to see why Mark Hughes was so keen to make the defender's loan move from Porto permanent.

Chris Waddle
Ex-England winger, BBC Radio 5 live

More football being played this half and it's Chelsea who are popping it around a lot more. 

They are in control and Stoke are now falling off the pace. Not a lot happening here. 

Well, we went 12 minutes of the second half without Diego Costa being involved in a brouhaha, but here he is again. Perhaps more sinned against than sinning this time, as Ryan Shawcross tangles with him by the touchline. Costa swats him away with a hand, as if the Stoke captain were an irritating moth. Much ado about nothing, really.

Image source, Reuters

Dion Dublin
Former Leicester and Man Utd forward on Final Score

It's a pretty even game. 

They both want to win the physical side of it but are forgetting to score goals and win football. Stoke have been putting everything they have into the box. They're putting Chelsea under pressure. 

Stoke left-back Erik Pieters has gone down with an injury here - the right thigh seems to be the problem. The Dutchman got a bang from Willian, accidentally, in a midfield tussle. Pieters eventually gets to his feet, and is able to continue.

Image source, AFP

Kante is such an influence for Chelsea, and deserves to win the PFA Footballer of the Year award "by a country mile", according to Robbie Savage in his Daily Mirror column, external this morning.

"On the evidence of his two seasons in English football, Chelsea got him on the cheap at £30m," Savage writes, comparing Kante to Claude Makelele, and suggesting that it is his patrolling in front of the back three that has been central to his team's success this season.

"He is the best seek-and-destroy midfield player in the world."

Oh, great ball from N'Golo Kante, into the stride of the charging Marcos Alonso. It's another opening for Chelsea, but Phil Bardsley is across really well to make the block. Another Chelsea corner results; again, nought comes of it.

Chris Waddle
Ex-England winger, BBC Radio 5 live

Good start by Stoke this half already. 

I just hope both teams concentrate on the game rather than trying to get each other booked. 

I just want to see a good half of football now. 

Image source, Getty Images

Mistake from Ryan Shawcross at the other end almost gives Chelsea an opening. The Stoke captain's attempted clearance down the line rebounds off Pedro - who seemed to have run out of space, but is suddenly away down the left. Diego Costa is screaming for a pass into the middle, but Geoff Cameron gets back to intercept and save Stoke, who then clear the resulting corner with relative comfort.

Brilliant from Ramadan Sobhi, who was outstanding in Stoke's last home game against Middlesbrough. The Egyptian outmuscles Cesar Azpilicueta to reach the byeline, but his low cross is cut out.

Some hearty boos from the home fans as Diego Costa returns to the field with his Chelsea team-mates. Stoke get us under way.

The first round of the FA People's Cup featured more than 40,000 players and 6,000+ teams playing five-a-side, and we saw drama, excitement, cracking goals (including  these efforts analysed by Dan Walker and Dean Saunders ) and some amazing stories from right across the country.

You can still catch  our highlights programme on iPlayer  and look out for our live text coverage of the semi-finals next weekend from 10am on Saturday and Sunday, 25-26 March.

Scott:  Costa’s technical ability as a player is great, but his attitude and behaviour on the pitch is staggeringly awful. 

David Simpson: If I were a Chelsea fan, I'd say to him what I tell my U9 team. "Stay on your feet, you can't help us on the floor!"

Jon Connor: Stoke's game plan - Kick Chelsea off the park it seems!

A lot happened in the final 10 minutes of that first half. One thing I do need to bring you up to date with; Stoke right-back Phil Bardsley was booked for his clattering challenge on Diego Costa shortly after the equaliser. It's not been the easiest match for Anthony Taylor to referee.

Well, that was rather tasty. Chelsea looked in control for half-an-hour or so, but Stoke did well to find a way back. A real edge to the game, though; there's no way we will finish with 11 against 11 if it continues like this.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

Diego Costa has one final run before the break - but Stoke midfielder Joe Allen races back to nick the ball off his toe. The Spain forward has hands on hips and looks to the floor. I think he needs a breather as much as the rest of us.

Steve Bower
Match of the Day commentator at the bet365 Stadium

"To say this first half has had an edge would be something of an understatement."

Chris Waddle
Ex-England winger, BBC Radio 5 live

We are coming up now to half-time and the manager has got to have a word with Costa because he is going to be a shown another yellow soon... 

It's a great atmosphere here - the Stoke fans are truly pumped up!

Everything is revolving around Diego Costa today. He is very much the pantomime villain.  

Image source, Getty Images