New Year’s Eve celebrations started early at Stamford Bridge after Willian’s double led Chelsea top a record-equalling 13th Premier League win in a row.

Antonio Conte’s men were given a stern examination by former Chelsea favourite Mark Hughes’ side, who came from behind twice.

Cesc Fabregas was preferred to the defensive-minded Nemanja Matic and the Spaniard threaded an early ball through to Eden Hazard for a shot deflected behind.

It wasn’t long before Diego Costa made his presence felt, losing his marker at the back stick to unleash a venomous shot parried by Lee Grant, the ball hitting Bruno Martins Indi before finding its way back into the keeper’s grasp.

Hail Cesar! Azpilicueta (L) vies with Stoke City's Erik Pieters

With pressure mounting Grant excelled again with a save at full stretch from Gary Cahill’s downward header.

Charlie Adam glanced a header wide at the other before Grant excelled himself once more with a double save first at the feet of Costa, then turning Hazard’s follow-up effort over the bar.

However, from the resulting corner swung in by Fabregas, Cahill jumped highest to head the opening goal with 33 on the clock.

Blues were halfway to lucky 13, but a rude awakening came a minute after the break. Charlie Adams floating a free-kick to the far post where Peter Crouch headed back across for Martins Indi to level from close range.

Boy from Brazil: Willian controls against Stoke City

Roused to respond Willian was a foot wide with a drive from the edge of the box and Costa forced another smart parry from Grant.

The lead was restored on 57 minutes when Victor Moses crossed and when Hazard cushioned the ball into Willian’s path he drove it past Grant’s right hand.

Mark Hughes threw on Gianelli Imbula and Bojan in a double swap in search of a second response and succeeded almost immediately when the latter played in Mame Diouf on the right and his cross was turned in by Crouch.

Yet barely had the cheers from the Potters fans been raised they died in their throats as the champions elect restored the lead for a third time.

Again, Fabregas was prompter-in-chief with the ball to Willian who finished with aplomb for his second of the game.

Fabregas got a standing ovation as he gave way to Matic with 17 minutes left before Costa wasted a glorious chance to finish things, firing over from a rapier-like Blues counter thrust.

Even now Stoke weren’t finished, Crouch heading onto the roof of the net, but Costa settled it five minutes from time, out-muscling Martins Indi and lashing high into the net.

poll loading

Which is your favourite Chelsea Premier League winning season?