Chelsea fans have reason to be full of festive cheer as they have won the Premier League title every season they have topped the table at Christmas.
Antonio Conte’s side beat Sunderland 1-0 courtesy of Cesc Fabregas’ first half strike and will remain in first place on December 25 having extended their lead at the summit to six points.
The Blues topped the table at Christmas in 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2014 and went onto lift the Premier League trophy.
Now top for the fifth time since 1992, supporters will be hopeful history can repeat itself.
Chelsea won their 10th straight Premier League game at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday and are just one victory away from matching the club record 11 straight wins achieved in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.
The west Londoners visit struggling Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday and will be hoping to write their name into the club’s history books with the chance to break the record when they host Bournemouth on Boxing Day.
Alan Shearer, meanwhile, lauded Chelsea’s impressive form and believes they are capable of continuing the run.
‘They’re full of confidence,’ he said on Match of the Day.
‘They’re not disrupting the side too much – when one or two players are coming in you can’t tell they’re in there – and it’s just so smooth for them at the moment. They’re playing some great stuff. ‘
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