Chelsea remain top of the tree at Christmas for the fourth time in the Premier League after running out 2-0 winners over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

The Blues were gifted the lead after just 90 seconds when captain John Terry rose to head home an Eden Hazard corner. 

Jose Mourinho’s side barely got out of third gear during the game and doubled their lead with 12 minutes remaining, Cesc Fabregas’s scuffed shot beating a helpless Asmir Begovic.

The only sour note of the evening for the 2,871 travelling Chelsea fans was the sight of Hazard limping off in the dying embers of the game following a challenge from Jonathan Walters.

But victory took Chelsea three points clear of second place Manchester City much to the delight of Mourinho. 

“To win here we must play a very good game,” he said. “We did it because we adapted well to their style of play, when they had the ball. When we had the ball we tried not to lose our identity and play our game.

“Obviously to score in the beginning is important but not so much in this stadium because they are always strong, the crowd is behind them and the team mentally is strong. They believe they have good players, a good bench and Mark Hughes can make changes because he has players for that. So it was a very difficult victory.”

Seven of the last 10 teams to be top on Christmas Day have gone on to win the Premier League title.

And on the previous three occasions Chelsea have led the way on 25 December, the title followed in May.

But with a home game against West Ham to come on Boxing Day followed by away trips to Southampton and Spurs, Mourinho knows how gruelling the festive period can be.

He said: “It’s very difficult. I have lots of respect for the players in this country. It doesn't matter if they are English or not English, the moment they are a football player in this country I respect them a lot.

“At this moment the German guys are on the beach, the Spanish guys are in the Maldives getting sun and in this country you play today, Boxing Day, the 28th, you play on the 1st. No family, no Christmas, just football. They deserve respect. And the supporters all around the country give their respect because every stadium is sold out.”