Half-time: Stoke 0 Chelsea 0

John Terry had a goal disallowed in the Capital One Cup fourth-round clash at the Britannia Stadium, where Diego Costa hobbled off just after the half-hour mark.

Chelsea skipper Terry skilfully back-heeled Willian’s right-wing cross into the net but was denied by an offside flag.

Earlier, Baba Rahman found Ramires with a clever pass and the Brazilian whizzed around Jack Butland but was unable to apply the finish from an acute angle, shooting into the side netting.

And before that, Stoke keeper Butland produced fine saves to deny Costa and Oscar as Chelsea made an impressive start.

At the other end, Marc Muniesa went close with a spectacular bicycle kick that landed on the roof of the net.

Costa was involved in a tough physical battle with the Stoke defence before being replaced by Loic Remy, who returned to the squad having recovered from an injury of his own.

Baba, Oscar and John Mikel Obi started in place of Cesar Azpilicueta, Cesc Fabregas and the suspended Nemanja Matic, while Blues keeper Asmir Begovic is playing against his former club.

Begovic was called into action in first-half stoppage time, when he saved from Jonathan Walters after the Potters forward had been found by Mame Diouf.