Stoke vs Chelsea: The One Conte did on a cold, windy afternoon in Stoke

Loving Life

Over the course of ninety minutes on Saturday afternoon, Mark Hughes undid much of the good work he's done at Stoke. While they've been longstanding and reputed bullies over the years, Hughes has attempted to bring a new style of play to the cold, wet pitch in the Bet365iseum. He has introduced unexpected players like Bojan and Xherdan Shaqiri to the squad in an effort to make Stoke's brand of football a little more palatable and a little less pugnacious.

Chelsea vs Stoke: The One That Shouldn't Have Been a Surprise

Eden Hazard: Good at Football

As Saturday's late match muddled it's way through inevitability, it became apparent that there was much about the match that seemed to come as a surprise to people. Things that very much should have been a surprise to absolutely no one.

Diego Costa didn't start

I am willing to accept this one as a surprise. Just. The silky movement of Loic Remy isn't exactly what anyone would have in mind when facing Stoke's back line. Costa's, we'll call it physicality, is more suited to dealing with Stoke's style of play. However, he was very clearly injured. Not 'injured' to get out if international duty injured. But actual injured. Costa requested to be subbed off against Hull - and as someone who limped into the starting lineup of the Champions League final - you know it's serious when he decides he can't go on.