Chelsea began 2014 in style by beating Southampton 3-0 at St Mary’s to keep pressure on the top two in the Premier League.
Second half goals from Fernando Torres, Willian and Oscar secured all three points for the Blues, who remain a point behind second place Manchester City, who won at Swansea City and two points behind leaders Arsenal, who beat Cardiff City.
Liverpool moved back into the top four after taking all three points from their match against Hull City, while Everton slip to fifth after drawing with Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur leapfrogged Manchester United into sixth following their second successive win at Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho’s men will now turn their attention to Sunday afternoon’s FA Cup third round tie against Derby County.
Frank Lampard and Branislav Ivanovic will miss the trip to the iPro Stadium after the Blues boss confirmed that the pair will both be out of action for a month, according to the Metro.
England international Lampard was substituted with a muscle injury at half time during Sunday afternoon’s 2-1 win over Liverpool, while Serbian Ivanovic injured his knee during the same game, and was replaced during the second half.