A calendar year in which Chelsea reached the top draws to a close with the same fixture as this time 12 months ago. Club historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton ring out the old with their preview of the Potters’ visit to the Bridge…

TALKING POINTS

The old calendar hanging in the kitchen will soon be replaced by a new one, but Chelsea are aiming to cook up a seventh successive league win at Stamford Bridge in this 56th and final game of 2017.
Stoke City have not pocketed all three points on the Fulham Road since an Alan Hudson goal in April 1974. However, the Potters have recently recovered from a run that brought three points from the 18 on offer with a win and a draw in their past two matches.





KEY STAT
Stoke have kept one clean sheet in their 10 away matches in the Premier League this season.

Antonio Conte said he will raise a second glass in celebration should victory be secured against Mark Hughes’ men. As it is, the Blues go into the new year as a top-four, top-flight side for the 21st time in the club’s history.

Top Four On New Year’s Day
Season Position Final placing
1 1964/65 2nd 3rd
2 1969/70 3rd 3rd
3 1970/71 3rd 6th
4 1985/86 2nd 6th
5 1997/98 2nd 4th
6 1998/99 2nd 3rd
7 2002/03 2nd 4th
8 2003/04 3rd 2nd
9 2004/05 1st 1st
10 2005/06 1st 1st
11 2006/07 2nd 2nd
12 2007/08 3rd 2nd
13 2008/09 2nd 3rd
14 2009/10 1st 1st
15 2010/11 4th 2nd
16 2012/13 3rd 3rd
17 2013/14 3rd 3rd
18 2014/15 1st 1st
19 2016/17 1st 1st

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