Diego Costa's thirteenth goal this season was enough to ensure that Chelsea defeated crystal palace and extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points. The win meant that Chelsea equaled a club record with their eleventh successive Premier League win.
The last time Chelsea won eleven matches in a row was between April and September in 2009. The Premier League record is Arsenal's fourteen game unbeaten streak in 2002. Every time Chelsea have won the league-2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2009/2010 and 2014/2015- they have been top of the table at Christmas.
Marcus Alonso's curling twenty five yard kick almost doubled the visitor's lead in the second half, but Costa's goal was enough to ensure the victory. Palace's best chances fell to Jason Puncheon, who Ashley Cole suggested should be in the England squad. Antonio Conte's team, 43 points, have played a game more than Liverpool and Arsenal, who sit in second and third place respectively with points. Arsenal play Manchester City tomorrow and Liverpool visit Goodison Park on Monday for the first Merseyside derby of the season.
A Huge Turnaround
It's been quite the tumultuous year for Chelsea. This time last year, Chelsea sacked Jose Mourinho, now manager of Manchester United, with the team in sixteenth position-a mere one point above the relegation zone.
This season, Antonio Conte has managed to get the best out of players that failed to deliver under the auspice of Jose Mourinho last season. After the match, Conte congratulated the players for their success before stating that the team can improve in certain areas. "You can always improve in different aspects. I am pleased with this level we have reached but it is important to recognise it's only the seventeenth game.
We must not look at our rivals and continue working hard ourselves."
On Boxing Day, Chelsea will be without leading goal scorer Diego Costa as they host Bournmouth. Costa was booked for a first-half foul on Joe Ledley and will now serve a one match ban. N'Golo Kante, who was integral in Leicester City's title win last season, will also be missing after he was shown his fifth yellow card of the season.
