Chelsea recorded a 2-0 victory over West Ham United at Stamford Bridge this afternoon to open up a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
The scoring was opened by skipper John Terry during the first half, before Diego Costa made sure of the outcome after the restart.
Find out how the match unfolded with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Morning all and compliments of the season to you! Now that the turkey and mince pies have been eaten, it's time for some festive Premier League football! Here, we will be covering the London derby as West plays host to East - Chelsea vs. West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.
But first, let's get some team news, starting with Chelsea...
CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa
CHELSEA SUBS: Cech, Zouma, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Ramires, Schurrle, Drogba
The big news for Chelsea is that despite limping off against Stoke City on Monday night, Eden Hazard has been passed fit to play. Aside from that, the only change from manager Jose Mourinho has seen him replace John Obi Mikel with Brazilian playmaker Oscar, which will see Cesc Fabregas drop into a more deeper central role alongside Nemanja Matic. Diego Costa, as expected, leads the attack.
And now for the visiting Hammers...
WEST HAM XI: Adrian; Jenkinson, Collins, Reid, Cresswell; Noble, Kouyate, Nolan, Downing; Carroll, Valencia
WEST HAM SUBS: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Song, Amalfitano, Jarvis, Cole, Sakho
Right, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has opted to make three changes to his starting lineup, the most surprising of which has seen Alex Song drop down to the bench, with Mark Noble taking his place. Elsewhere, Ecuador international Enner Valencia has come in up front for Diafra Sakho, while the experienced James Collins has filled in for James Tomkins at centre-back.
When these two sides met last term, Mourinho branded West Ham's style of play as "football from the 19th century".
However, this time around, the Chelsea boss has been full of praise for his opposite number Allardyce and his side's performances:
"Chelsea is top of the league and deserves it and after us West Ham, because to be fourth for a team that everybody was expecting them to fight for survival, I think is a fantastic achievement," the 51-year-old told Sky Sports News.
"Both teams are different than last season. We are a better team, we have more creativity and more goals, we have more attacking dynamic, and West Ham is also a better team.
"He has my respect. Last season I had a couple of words about the fact they started winning time after two minutes of the game, which I don't like. But I respect him as a coach. As a person he's a very good guy, but as a coach he has a beautiful career and I'm very happy that he's doing well with West Ham."
And Allardyce has returned the compliment, describing Mourinho as the game's best manager. It seems that they're the best of friends right now!
"Working managers, he's probably the best club manager in the world at the moment, on his track record. I don't think there's any doubt about that. There's probably only Ancelotti that perhaps matches him," Allardyce told reporters.
"But what he's done in his time across many different countries is outstanding. That's why I was glad to have him back and pit your wits against the best. Obviously he's proving that again with Chelsea here in England this season."
That famous "19th century" quote from Mourinho has obviously been a big talking point in the days leading up to this clash. The Hammers were extremely negative in that game, which ended 0-0. However, talking to Sky Sports News, left-back Aaron Cresswell has stressed that the Hammers will be looking to win the game:
"There is no reason why we're going to go there and park the bus. We're going to go there full of confidence, to score goals and look to win the game," said the summer signing from Ipswich Town.
And one more player quote for now, this time from Chelsea's Brazilian playmaker Oscar: "It's a difficult game because West Ham are playing so well, but we need to win. It's important for us to put pressure on Man City and the other teams, it's good we are the first game of the day."
HEAD TO HEAD: Stamford Bridge has not exactly been the happiest of hunting grounds for West Ham. They have not won there in the Premier League since 2002, when Italian frontman Paolo Di Canio scored twice in a 3-2 victory. In total, of the 47 meetings between the two at the Bridge, West Ham have won 12, with the home side coming out on top on 24 occasions.
STATISTICS! Here are two stats that do not exactly bode well for those of a West Ham persuasion.
1. Chelsea are unbeaten in the last nine Premier League games that they have played on Boxing Day, winning five.
2. The Hammers have failed to score in four of their last five outings against Chelsea.
It seems that the Christmas period has put Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in a playful mood:
Meanwhile, Allardyce has been explaining the reasons behind his team selection:
It's the omission of Barcelona loanee Song from that West Ham starting lineup that has raised eyebrows. On that video below, Allardyce has explained why:
"Song is another where if we risk two games in two days, and he's just had the knee problem, it's better that he's on the bench and ready if he's needed. He can be ready for the game against Arsenal in 48 hours," he said.
Perhaps West Ham's best route to win the game?:
As that statistic highlights, there is no Premier League striker that is better in the air than Andy Carroll. While Chelsea's defensive pairing of John Terry and Gary Cahill also possess decent leaps, Carroll will fancy his chances of winning at least some of the duels. Of course, the delivery into the Chelsea penalty area will also be vital - they must provide the former Newcastle frontman with some good service.
Right, the two teams have emerged from the tunnel and the handshakes are about to take place. Not long now until proceedings are underway.
KICKOFF! Hosting West Ham, who will attack from left to right during the first half, get the 100th meeting between these two clubs off and running.
Maybe some bad news for Chelsea early on as Eden Hazard hits the deck and looks to be in some pain. It seems that the Belgian, who is limping to the touchline for treatment, has a dead leg.
Andre Schurrle was sent out to warm-up, but Hazard has rejoined the action and although he is moving a little gingerly, it appears that he will be able to continue.
CHANCE! What an opportunity for Oscar to give Chelsea the lead. West Ham full-back Jenkinson inexplicably fails to clear Willian's cross and Oscar pounces. His first touch is good, but with just Adrian to beat from six yards out, the Brazilian lifts his effort well over the crossbar.
From a West Ham point of view, it's vitally important that Valencia doesn't continue to neglect his defensive responsibilities. The Ecuadorian is playing on the left flank, but he is not tracking the runs of Chelsea's adventurous right-back Ivanovic. If that continues, the Hammers could well end up being punished.
CHANCE! Lovely football from Chelsea as Willian pulls the ball back to the edge of the West Ham area for Terry of all people. He sends over an instant cross to the back post for his defensive partner Cahill, who gets up well. However, his looping header flies a couple of yards over the bar. It's been all Chelsea so far.
For the first time this afternoon, West Ham are having a bit of possession. Having said that, they are struggling to make any headway with it. We've seen very little from the likes of Downing, Carroll and Valencia in an attacking sense.
Better from the Hammers as Valencia uses his pace to relieve the pressure. He picks out Downing wide on the right, but the in-form attacker delays his cross and is charged down. The resultant corner comes to little, but it's positive signs for the away side nonetheless.
SAVE! Wow, Cahill got some power in that shot! It will have been all too easy for Allardyce's liking as Fabregas is allowed the time to control a high ball on the left flank, before rolling a pass into the feet of an unmarked Cahill inside the area. The Chelsea defender goes for goal, but his rasping effort is pushed to safety by Adrian.
I mentioned a while ago that Valencia was not tracking the runs of Ivanovic, but it seems that it may indeed be a West Ham tactic. It appears that they are leaving Valencia up the pitch, so when they do get the ball, he can break with his pace. It's come to little so far, but it has worried Chelsea on occasions, with the likes of Matic forced to come across and deal with the danger.
BOOKING! A very harsh caution for West Ham defender Collins, who got a boot on the ball as he slid into a challenge with Costa. Referee Michael Oliver saw it differently, though, and brandishes the yellow card. Collins is understandably unhappy with the decision.
SAVE! Chelsea continue to knock on the West Ham door, but Adrian is keeping it shut a present. On this occasion a bouncing effort from 20 yards out struck by Willian tests the West Ham stopper, who pushes the danger away.
GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 WEST HAM (TERRY)
You have to say, it's been coming. Collins does well to deny Hazard, but from the resultant corner he goes walkabout. Fabregas's cross from the right is flicked goalwards and waiting at the back post is Terry, who should have been marked by Collins. The West Ham defender has ball watched, though, leaving Terry a simple tap in. That's two in two for the Chelsea skipper.
BOOKING! A second caution of the clash for West Ham and this time it's deserved. As Oscar looks to set Chelsea away on the counter-attack, he's hacked down by a sliding Cresswell.
SAVE! Is there anything that Matic cannot do?! The Chelsea midfield general has been fantastic again today and just now he almost got his name on the scoresheet. With little pressure on him, the Serbian curled an effort from 25 yards out that was creeping into the bottom corner until Adrian flicked out a hand to turn it behind.
It's all too easy for Chelsea right now - it's as if they are toying with West Ham. The likes of Hazard, Oscar and Willian are involved in neat interchanges, while Costa is causing plenty of problems with his physical presence. From a West Ham point of view, it's vitally important that they don't concede again before the break.
CHANCE! Chelsea are creating openings at will. Hazard is patient on the edge of the area, before picking out Ivanovic wide on the right. He, in turn, sends a low cross into the area for Costa, but as the ball bounces up at the striker, he sends an effort flashing over the crossbar.
There will be one minute of stoppage time at the end of this first half.
It wouldn't be a London derby without it kicking off at some point! Ivanovic goes down in the box under a challenge from Carroll and the West Ham players a fuming, accusing the Chelsea defender of cheating. Costa gets involved, as do several visiting players. Once the situation has diffused, there is no bookings for either side.
HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 1-0 WEST HAM
Well, that was convincing to say the least. From the first whistle to the one that signified the break, Chelsea were dominant. In truth, they probably deserve to be even further in front. Right now, it appears that they will be six points clear at the top of the table.
That, indeed, can be Mourinho's only complaint about those opening 45 minutes - his side only lead 1-0. They have passed the ball around brilliantly, with the entire team on the same wavelength. It looks like it will only be a matter of time before a second goal arrives, but Mourinho will now be eager for it to be scored as early as possible.
As for West Ham, despite their lofty position, getting anything from this game was always going to be a bonus. It may sound strange, but Allardyce is bound to be disappointed that his side are behind. Not because they deserve to be level, but because of the way that they fell behind. It was from a corner and with West Ham's physical presence, they shouldn't be shipping goals in that way. Looking forward, if they are to get anything from this contest, they are going to have to start committing more men forward, which brings with it danger.
A picture, courtesy of Chelsea's Twitter page, that sums up the first half - Matic bossing proceedings:
RESTART! Both sides are unchanged as Chelsea, who lead 1-0, get us back underway at Stamford Bridge.
Bright start from West Ham as Valencia wins a corner when his cross is blocked by Cahill. The resultant kick is taken by Noble, which Courtois comes for but misses. Unfortunately for West Ham, none of their players are alert enough to the situation and Chelsea clear.
SAVE! And now it seems that normal service may have been resumed. A quick counter-attack from the home side sees Willian play in Hazard, who takes one touch inside his marker before unleashing a powerful effort towards goal. Adrian, not for the first time today, is equal to it, which keeps the score at 1-0.
West Ham, just as they did in the first half, are having a period of possession, but there doesn't seem anyway beyond this Chelsea rearguard. The pace of Valencia looks to be their best bet, but they cannot get him in the game enough.
BOOKING! A clear booking for Reid, who is outpaced by Hazard. The West Ham centre-back reacts by pulling the Chelsea attacker down to the ground.
WEST HAM SUBS: A double change from Hammers boss Allardyce as Carroll and Noble come off, with Song and Sakho taking their places. It changes the shape of the West Ham attack, with the pacey Sakho going through the middle. That will provide a different test for Terry and Cahill to deal with.
GOAL! CHELSEA 2-0 WEST HAM (COSTA)
Class from Costa, pure class. Matic wins possession on the halfway line and Hazard is away. He finds Costa 20 yards from goal and the Spaniard drives at Collins, sending him the wrong way as he shapes to shoot. Instead, he jinks on to his left foot and then from a tight angle, fires across Adrian and into the far corner of the West Ham net. That may well have sealed all three points for the home team.
CHANCE! And Costa could have just made it 3-0. Ivanovic's cross from the right is a peach, but Costa's volley, for once, is mishit and the ball flies high, wide and not very handsome.
SAVES! Adrian doesn't deserve to be on the losing side today, that's for sure. First he shows good reflexes to palm over Oscar's effort from distance and then from point-blank range, he blocks Matic. Great stuff from the West Ham goalkeeper, who is keeping the scoreline respectable.
Chelsea are showboating out there now. This time Costa shows a deft touch as he lifts a clever pass into the path of Oscar, only for his powerful strike to be blocked by Reid.
WEST HAM SUB: Final change of the encounter for West Ham as the subdued Downing is replaced by French winger Morgan Amalfitano.
At the moment Chelsea are knocking the ball around with ease. The Blues are just so good at seeing out games and taking the sting out of proceedings when they are in front.
CHELSEA SUBS: A huge cheer goes up as Costa leaves the field to be replaced by Didier Drogba. It was a top performance from the Spaniard. Oscar has also come off, with Mikel taking his place.
CHELSEA SUB: And a final change for the Blues, with Willian getting a breather. He's been replaced by fellow Brazilian Ramires.
OFF THE POST! Well, we should have had an interesting final few minutes on our hands. West Ham substitute Amalfitano dances into the Chelsea area and having committed Courtois, it seems that he has a routine finish. However, he tries to be clever and although his chipped effort gets the better of the Chelsea keeper, it strikes the post and is cleared to safety. That was the best opening that West Ham have had by a considerable margin.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time at the end of this contest.
FULL TIME: CHELSEA 2-0 WEST HAM
There goes the final whistle and it is a richly deserved victory for hosting Chelsea, who go six points clear at the top of the table as a result. That's nine straight home victories for the Blues at Stamford Bridge. As for the Hammers, they have failed to score for the first time away from home this season.
And that is all we have time for from Stamford Bridge. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and be sure to stick with Sports Mole over the course of the afternoon for live coverage of all the 3pm Premier League matches. Enjoy and until next time, goodbye.
