1. MARCOS ALONSO (8.4)

Minutes: 90
Touches: 59
Passes: 33/40
Shots: 3*/3
Tackles: 3
Fouls drawn: 3

It’s only appropriate that the singer of one of the greatest Christmas songs ever (R.I.P. George Michael) would produce a Man of the Match performance on Boxing Day.

As mentioned several times in recent weeks, Alonso continues to add to his league-best (for a defender) scoring numbers, and quietly continues to play a remarkable amount of minutes.

2. CÉSAR AZPILICUETA (8.3)

Minutes: 90
Touches: 120
Passes: 97*/108
Shots: 0/1
Blocks+INTs: 3

Speaking of decent signings, here’s the man we just call Dave, he of the £7m transfer fee and of future Chelsea legends teams. Dave is love, Dave is life, Dave is the man.

As much as he deserves his praises sung, here’s a video instead, a recent production from the fine folk at the constantly improving Chelsea TV.

3. ÁLVARO MORATA (8.1)

Minutes: 80
Touches: 36
Passes: 21/23
Shots: 2*/4
Fouls drawn: 3

With Chelsea’s foibles in front of goal coming under intense scrutiny lately, Morata’s goal-scoring return to the starting lineup after four games out with (or being limited by) injury and suspension was more than welcome. He’s reached double-digit league goals on the stroke of half-time in the season, and has every chance to hit the upper standard of 20 by the end. (He has 12 in all competitions at the moment, with 4 assists.)

STARTERS: Courtois (7.2), Rüdiger (7.4), Cahill (7.1), Azpilicueta (8.3), Alonso (8.4), Bakayoko (6.2), Kanté (7.5), Fàbregas (7.1), Moses (6.9), Hazard (7.9), Morata (8.1)

SUBSTITUTES: Willian (6.4), Batshuayi (6.3), Drinkwater (6.1)

OVERALL: