On a misty lunchtime in deepest south London, a Diego Costa goal secured a club-record equalling 11th straight league win for Antonio Conte’s Chelsea.
Chelsea equalled their longest Premier League winning run by beating Crystal Palace 1-0 on Saturday for their 11th consecutive victory, and momentarily moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table
Costa’s opener came at the end of a drab first half but marked a sparkling return to form for the Spain international, whose 13th Premier League goal of the season takes him beyond his tally for the entire 2015-16 campaign.
It was by no means an easy win in this London derby however, as both sides showed signs of tiredness at the end of a draining week. Thibaut Courtois had to make saves although it was the Blues who came closest to scoring the game’s second goal when Marcos Alonso struck woodwork late on.
Eden Hazard was back from his one-game injury absence and Nemanja Matic also returned having been on the bench at Sunderland. Antonio Conte had indicated 24 hours earlier that this may be a game to rest odd players at the end of a busy week, and Pedro was among the subs this time so Willian started for the second game running. Cesc Fabregas returned to the bench.
Chelsea will be without Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante for the Boxing Day game following bookings.
