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As it happenedended

Chelsea vs Stoke live: What time does it start, what TV channel is it on and where can I watch it?

Everything you need to know about Chelsea vs Stoke

Jack Portley,George Cooper
Friday 30 December 2016 20:49 GMT
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Diego Costa returns from suspension for Chelsea against Stoke
Diego Costa returns from suspension for Chelsea against Stoke (Getty)

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Antonio Conte’s Chelsea juggernaut seems to be unstoppable at the moment.

On New Year’s Eve, they can claim their 13th straight Premier League win and equal Arsenal’s record for the most consecutive victories in a single season.

Standing in their way is Stoke City, who initially impressed at Anfield on Tuesday night before being blown away and going down 4-1.

With one or perhaps both of Liverpool and Manchester City assured of dropping points later, Chelsea could potentially end the year eight points clear at the summit.

Follow live updates on our blog below...

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It’s a big game for…

Jon Walters: The Stoke forward hasn’t scored since his goal in the Potters’ 2-0 victory over Burnley at the beginning of the month. With Marko Arnautovic out through suspension too, Walters may be the visitors’ main hope of a goal at Stamford Bridge.

Weird stat…

1: In the last three meetings between the two sides, neither team has scored more than one goal.

Remember when…

In an affair between the two sides in April 2015, Charlie Adam scored this audacious effort from his own half but saw his side fall to a 2-1 defeat.

Player to watch…

Eden Hazard: After a pretty dismal campaign last season, the Belgian looks invigorated under new boss Antonio Conte. Stoke will do well to avoid a drubbing from what seems like an unstoppable Chelsea side at the moment.

Eden Hazard celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Bournemouth
Eden Hazard celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Bournemouth (Getty)

Past three meetings…

Chelsea 1 (Traore) Stoke 1 (Diouf), Premier League, March 2016

Stoke 1 (Arnautovic) Chelsea 0, Premier League, November 2015

Stoke 1 (Walters) Chelsea 1 (Remy) (Stoke win on penalties) EFL Cup, October 2015

Form guide…

Chelsea: WWWWWW

Stoke: LWWLDD

Charlie Adam scored against Chelsea from his own half (Getty)
Charlie Adam scored against Chelsea from his own half (Getty) (Getty Images)

Vital information…

Kick-off time: 15:00, Saturday 31st December 2016

TV: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC TWO – 10pm

Odds…

Chelsea to win: 2/7

Stoke to win: 12/1

Draw: 5/1

Paul Pogba on United's late win

"It's beautiful - it's why we love football. The win as very important.

"We had a lot of chances and we could have won the game easier, but we are very happy with the three points."

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 17:02

Albrighton - we need to build on this

Marc Albrighton says Leicester must use their narrow win over West Ham as a springboard for the new year.

"It's always nice to end the year on a high note and I think that game sums up our year," he said.

"Grit, determination, everything – we showed it in abundance today and we need to build on this result in the new year.

"It's no secret that we’re not in a place that we want to be at the moment, but the performance today was tremendous."

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 17:06

Cahill - We will not be beaten

Gary Cahill says Chelsea have forgotten how to lose, after the Blues held off a gallant Stoke to make it 13 wins in a row.

"We had to dig deep and work hard at times," Cahill said. "We were disappointed over their first goal, I thought it was offside.

"Nevertheless, we showed good character. We never felt like we were beaten, but it was a tough game, as we expected.

"We have to keep grounded and focused on what we are doing. This was difficult. We have a feeling at the minute that we don't think we will get beaten, but that is because we're working hard."

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 17:08

O'Shea - Sunderland nowhere near good enough

Sunderland captain John O'Shea on the 4-1 defeat at Burnley: "Unacceptable today, not good enough. Away from home you have to be resilient together, but the goals we conceded were not acceptable and the players have to take responsibility.

"Nowhere near good enough, and we will have to rectify this quickly. There is no excuse for what went on, and it's something we will have to look at collectively and individually and dust ourselves down very quickly.

"The dressing room is not a good place at the minute but we know we can quickly turn this around. We have to have the attitude that we fight together.

"We want to give ourselves a chance and make teams earn their goals, not gift them like we did today. Burnley took their chances well but we helped them a lot along the way."

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 17:21

Five minutes, give or take, until kick-off at Anfield. It is noisy.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 17:25

KICK-OFF

Away we go at Anfield

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 17:30

2 mins: Early chance for City as Milner's foul gives them a free-kick on the edge of the area. De Bruyne takes but hits it into the wall.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 17:33

4 mins: It's a bright start by City. Sterling runs at Milner but the Liverpool left-back stands his ground well. Liverpool fans singing some rather unfavourable songs about Sterling.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 17:34

6 mins: An oddly subdued start by Liverpool as City continue to see more of the ball, passing it around comfortably. 

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 17:36

7 mins: Milner gives the ball away forcing Klavan to foul Aguero. Klavan is booked.

Mark Critchley31 December 2016 17:37

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