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Attendance: 41,381
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Premier League
Mar 5, 2016 at 3pm UK
 
Stoke logo

1-1

Traore (39')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Team News: Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas out for Chelsea

Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas are dropped from the Chelsea XI for the visit of Stoke City.

Cesc Fabregas has been dropped from the Chelsea XI for the visit of Stoke City this afternoon, while Diego Costa has been ruled out with injury.

Interim manager Guus Hiddink confirmed that Costa has suffered a "minor tendon injury" and has promoted Bertrand Traore to lead the line in his absence.

Willian fills in for Traore alongside Oscar and Eden Hazard, while Fabregas makes way for John Obi Mikel in the middle of the park.

The only other change comes at left-back, where Baba Rahman comes in for Kenedy after the youngster was forced off with a groin injury in the 2-1 win at Norwich City on Tuesday.

For the visiting Potters, Mark Hughes makes two alterations to the side that defeated Newcastle United on Wednesday night.

Phil Bardsley is out with injury, meaning that Marc Muniesa earns a spot in the back four, while Mame Diouf replaces Jonathan Walters up front.

Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Baba; Mikel, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Traore
Subs: Begovic, Miazga, Clarke-Salter, Loftus-Cheek, Fabregas, Pato, Remy

Stoke City: Butland; Pieters, Muniesa, Wollscheid, Cameron; Imbula, Whelan; Arnautovic, Afellay, Shaqiri; Diouf
Subs: Haugaard, Ireland, Joselu, Walters, Teixeira, Crouch, Bojan

Follow all the action from Stamford Bridge with Sports Mole's live text commentary here.

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Mark Hughes looks on prior to the Premier League match between Stoke City and Aston Villa at Britannia Stadium on February 27, 2016
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