By Daily Sports on January 1, 2017

Willian scored twice as Chelsea claimed a record-equalling 13th consecutive Premier League victory by beating Stoke 4-2, while Liverpool kept in touch with the leaders after a 1-0 win over Manchester City.

Stoke twice hit back to level after falling behind at Stamford Bridge, but Willian's second goal and a late Diego Costa strike saw Chelsea match Arsenal's run of 13 wins within the same season from 2001-02.

Antonio Conte's side remain six points clear of second-placed Liverpool heading into 2017.

"Congratulations go to my players. To win 13 games in a row in this league is very difficult," Conte said.

"Now they are fantastic and we are proud, but we must concentrate on the second part of the season. Numbers are not important if you do not win the title."

At Anfield, with Jurgen Klopp and City boss Pep Guardiola meeting for the first time in the Premier League, the clash of managerial heavyweights was a tense affair.

Third placed City had star striker Sergio Aguero back from suspension and they dominated possession for long periods.

But it was Klopp's team who delivered the knockout blow when Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum headed home from Adam Lallana's cross in the eighth minute to seal Liverpool's fourth successive win.

Manchester United came perilously close to seeing their own winning streak end, only for late goals by Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba to secure a 2-1 home win over Middlesbrough.

It was sixth-place United's fifth straight league win and took them to within a point of fourth-place Arsenal, who host Crystal Palace on Sunday.

"My players were phenomenal. We managed to do something I love -– bring the fans to the pitch. The last 15 mins were 70 000 on the pitch against 11," United manager Jose Mourinho said.

Chelsea welcomed back N'Golo Kante and Costa from suspension for the visit of Stoke and took a first-half lead when Gary Cahill headed in a corner from Cesc Fabregas.

Bruno Martins Indi equalised within seconds of kick-off in the second half, slotting in after Peter Crouch nodded down Charlie Adam's free-kick.

After Willian had restored the hosts' lead, lashing in from Eden Hazard's lay-off, Crouch drew Stoke level again in the 64th minute when he tapped in Mame Biram Diouf's cross.

But Willian put Chelsea back in front a minute later and Costa's late strike sealed victory.

 (supersport)

Photo shows Diego Costa

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 1, 2017

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