Both Chelsea and Liverpool ended the year in glory as both Blues and Reds confirmed themselves as the most creditable candidates for this season title in the Premiership.
For Conte and his Chelsea, 2016 ended in glory as the Blues equaled Arsenal‘s 13 consecutive wins in the same season after beating a valiant Stoke City side in a thrilling 4-2 goal spree at Stamford Bridge. And it’s not over yet!!!
It was defender Gary Cahill who gave Chelsea the lead in the first period only for Martins Indi to equalize a minute after the break.
Willian again put the Blues ahead but the Potters fought back and Crouch levelled again the score to a surprising 2-2 draw.
Stoke City celebration were however short lived as Willian again grabbed his second goal to put once again Chelsea ahead, with Diego Costa sealing victory 5′ from the end.
With this 13 win in a row Chelsea are six points ahead of second place Liverpool who defeated at Anfield, Manchester City with an early goal from Wijnaldum, and are now the most serious candidates to challenge the Blues for the title.
New Year’s Eve saw Manchester United come from behind to grab three vital points in their bid for a Champions League place next season by beating Middlesbrough 2-1 at Old Trafford. It was the visitors who took the lead in the second period through Leadbitter but with 5′ to go Martial and Pogba won it for the Red Devils. In the first 45′, Ibrahimovic had a regular goal ruled out for dangerous play.
Another team who ended their historic 2016 with a precious win are Champions Leicester City who grabbed all three points with a 20′ goal from Islam Slimani over West Ham to lift themselves six points above the red zone.
Elsewhere Burnley obtained a 4-1 home win over struggling Sunderland with Andre Gray becoming the first Claret‘s player to score a Premier League hat-trick.
Goals from Phillips and Robson-Kanu who was returning to his first Premier League start since May 2013 helped West Brom to come from behind and surprisingly beat Southampton at the Saint Mary‘s. The home side took the lead from Long in the 41′ and had defender van Dijk sent off a minute from the end.
Finally Swansea after sacking manager Bob Bradley in mid-week and calling Alan Curtis as caretaker, ended the year in total misery as they were defeated on home ground 0-3 by Bournemouth, to remain bottom.
Day 19 will come to an end today, New Year’s Day with Watford who host Tottenham Hostspur and Arsenal who at home need to beat at all costs Crystal Palace to grab third place at the expense of Manchester City.