Chelsea 2-0 West Ham

Another potential banana skin was easily dispatched by Chelsea who mixed both solidity and flair to pocket a much-deserved three points against West Ham.

The Blues largely cruised here but it was the flashes of brilliance from a team really hitting its stride which wowed the Boxing day crowd.

After a number of close calls, they got their spoon into the left-over trifle just after the half hour.

Opener: Chelsea's John Terry celebrates scoring their first goal

A Cesc Fabregas corner was headed on by Diego Costa for John Terry to side-foot in at the far post.

His 36th Premier League goal, it put him 11 ahead of all other defenders in the competition's history form open play.

They went in at the break looking by far the superior side, but with just the one goal to show for it.

Clincher: Chelsea's Diego Costa scores their second goal

Jose Mourinho's boys added to that just beyond the hour mark when osta scored his 13th Premier League goal in 15 matches.

He was set-up by Eden Hazard, still with plenty to do, before turning three of West Ham's defence, and threading a shot on a laser-guided path between them, keeper Adrian and the tight angle of the posts.

West Ham seldom looked like pulling one back until right at the end, when sub Morgan Amalfitano hit the post.

Chelsea remain top - six points clear - for a couple of hours at least.