Chelsea unruffled by Christmas curse

Chelsea have everything they need to buck a English Premier League tradition and convert a Christmas lead in the standings into the title come May.

Only once in the last nine seasons, when Manchester United triumphed in 2001, has the Christmas leader gone on to win the championship.

United and Arsenal have carved up the title between them in that period but Chelsea have gatecrashed the party in style and will sit down for Christmas dinner five points clear.

That should not be narrowed and could be stretched after a home game against Aston Villa on December 26 and a trip to Portsmouth two days later, games that will take the championship race to its halfway point.

They then visit Liverpool on New Year's Day and host Middlesbrough on January 4 to begin the long run-in to what they hope will be a second title triumph after their single success of 50 years ago.

Coach Jose Mourinho, full of confidence in himself and his side, is not weighed down by English soccer's recent history, which has seen the likes of Liverpool, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Newcastle hit the top at Christmas only to fall away in the second half of the season.

BLOATED SQUAD

He has the seemingly limitless funds of owner Roman Abramovich to call upon should he feel the need to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window.

Although the Portuguese coach may look for a replacement for injured midfielder Scott Parker, he has made it clear that he has no interest in working with a bloated squad just because he can.

After a victorious but low-scoring start to the season, Chelsea have found the way to goal with a vengeance in the last two months.

They have scored four times in a league game on six occasions and having conceded only eight goals, their goal difference of 29 is now six better than Arsenal's.

Mourinho will expect another convincing display against Villa and has told his players he expects them in for training on Christmas Day in preparation.

"Everybody in this country now knows that Chelsea can win the Premiership, maybe three months ago, they would have said no," Mourinho said after last week's 4-0 thrashing of Norwich City.

"Three months ago, they would have said Chelsea have good players and the potential to buy some more but they cannot win the Premiership but that view is changing."

Arsenal certainly know they have a fight on their hands to retain the title they won without losing a game but coach Arsene Wenger is not panicking.

"I certainly do not think Chelsea are unstoppable because there is such a long way to go," he said. "Things can change quickly over Christmas when there are so many games."

The champions, who were second to United at Christmas last season, host Fulham then have an awkward trip to Newcastle.

Manchester United are fourth, nine points off the pace, but will expect to continue their good recent form at home to Bolton Wanderers and away to Villa.

The halfway point of the season should be celebrated at third-placed Everton, where three points from games at home to Manchester City and away to Charlton Athletic would take them to the 40-point mark.

That was coach David Moyes's target in August when the club began the season as prime relegation candidates but now fans are even beginning to dream of a Champions League slot.