Image source, Rex Features

How do you stop the Premier League's top scorer Diego Costa?

Alan Pardew thinks he might have the answer, and that answer might be Damien Delaney, who has recently won his place back in the Crystal Palace side.

"We've always had great admiration for Costa," said Pardew.

"We won there last year and Delaney had one of his best games for me against Costa that day, and he's going to have to do a repeat performance because the guy is at the top of his game.

"We had Zlatan Ibrahimovic the other night, Costa this weekend, so my centre-halves will have had a real test and that's what's great about the Premier League."

Image source, Rex Features

Today marks the first anniversary of Chelsea ending Jose Mourinho's second spell at the club.

Mourinho was given his marching orders on 17 December 2015 - seven months after leading the Blues to the Premier League title.

So what's changed? Chelsea were 16th in the table at the time, one point above the relegation zone. Now they're six points clear at the top under Antonio Conte.

As for the former "Special One", he is now getting his kicks at Manchester United, who start the weekend 13 points behind behind Conte's pace setters.   

Image source, Rex Features

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Six of the last seven teams to top the Premier League table at Christmas have gone on to win the title that season. Will 2017 be Chelsea's year?

They are guaranteed to be top next Sunday no matter what.

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender

This winning Chelsea run will end at some point and I think it will end when they are away from home.

A point would be a great result for Crystal Palace and, although it will mean Chelsea drop a couple of points, it will not be a serious setback.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believes the huge money being spent on players by Chinese clubs is a "danger for all teams in the world".

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says his side must "defend well" and not be "timid" with the ball when they take on Manchester City on Sunday.

Follow live text and Radio 5 live commentary from the Premier League as Chelsea take on Stoke at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea midfielder Oscar is "90% certain" to move to Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG in the January transfer window.

Chelsea move six points clear at the top of the Premier League as Cesc Fabregas' first-half goal beats Sunderland.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says his team will have a "happy Christmas" after the Blues go six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 1-0 win at Sunderland.

Sunderland boss David Moyes says his team "did all they could" against Chelsea, but admits they need points, not "a pat on the back" for losing 1-0 against the Blues.

It's no surprise Sunderland are playing so deep when they've got seven defenders on the pitch...

Chelsea have had 71% possession so far in the second half, but they remain only a goal ahead at the moment.

Very much all Chelsea in terms of possession in the first 15 minutes at the Stadium of Light. 

Asim: Sunderland defending straight away, not a good strategy for relegation battlers.   

Ben Green: Why is nobody mentioning the fact the Sunderland are playing with 7 (SEVEN!) defenders?! Cautious.

Sunderland boss David Moyes makes four changes for the visit of Chelsea. John O’Shea, Jan Kirchhoff, Adnan Januzaj and Fabio Borini all come in. Steven Pienaar and Victor Anichebe have not been included in the squad.

Sunderland XI: Pickford, Jones, Kone, Djilobodji, O’Shea, van Aanholt, Denayer, Kirchhoff, Borini, Januzaj, Defoe. Subs: Mannone, Larsson, Khazri, Love, Asoro, Maja, Honeyman.

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There's two changes for Chelsea as Willian replaces Eden Hazard, who picked up a knock against West Brom last time out. Nemanja Matic is replaced by Cesc Fabregas as Antonio Conte rotates his squad.

Chelsea XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill; Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Willian, Diego Costa, Pedro. Subs: Begovic, Ivanovic, Zouma, Chalobah, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Batshuayi.

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Chelsea go nine clear. Watch Final Score as we bring you reaction, updates and images from a packed afternoon in the Premier League.

Follow live text commentary from the Premier League as Arsenal face West Brom at the Emirates Stadium.

Follow live text commentary from the Premier League as Chelsea host Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge.