Chelsea beat Stoke 0-2 to stay clear of Manchester City

    Chelsea top at Christmas for fourth time in PL
    Fabregas earns 12th assist in 17 games
    Hazard limps off with injury late on
    Mourinho delighted by 'spirit and mentality'

Chelsea ensured they will be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day after a hard-fought victory over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

John Terry's header inside two minutes kick-started a spiky contest that threatened to spill over at times.  Yet for all Stoke's desire, Chelsea always looked in control and deservedly doubled their lead through Cesc Fabregas's scuffed finish.

Steven Nzonzi had Stoke's best chance but his deflected shot was well saved.

Victory took Chelsea three points clear of second-placed Manchester City.

The only blight on Chelsea's night came with a late injury to Eden Hazard, who limped off after appearing to injure an ankle in a tangle with Jonathan Walters.  - BBC