MANCHESTER — While Europe's other big leagues take a breather over the festive period, clubs in the English Premier League begin a traditionally frenzied spell of fixtures that excites fans, exhausts players, tests managers, and potentially defines campaigns. A run of four games in nine or 10 days kicks off Friday with a full program, with Chelsea looking to tame one of the surprise teams of the season to stay in first place and keep title rival Manchester City at arm's length. West Ham arrives at Stamford Bridge in fourth place and as London's No. 2 team this season, a side reborn under Sam Allardyce following summer orders from the hierarchy to play a more attractive brand of football. West Ham is certainly doing that — and impressive wins over City and Liverpool so far suggest a trip to Chelsea will hold no fear. “Playing against Big Sam (Allardyce) is a hard job for us, we have to cope with it,” said Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who thinks his team has the hardest festive fixtures of all the top teams with games at Southampton and Tottenham to come. By beating Stoke Monday, Chelsea restored a three-point lead over City and ensured it would be top on Christmas Day — a noteworthy milestone that has special significance for the Blues. The last three times Chelsea has led the league on Dec. 25, it has gone on to win the title. “What we did in the past is not important,” Mourinho said. “What's important is this season, and this season we are top of the league since day one and we are there because we are playing really well. “In my opinion we are the best team.” Here are some other things to look out for in the 18th round: West Ham: When West Ham last travelled to Chelsea, in January 2014, the visitors held on for 0-0 despite conceding 39 shots on their goal, and were accused by Mourinho of playing “football from the 19th century” because of their defensive tactics. That is unlikely to be the case this time round, with Allardyce recently speaking of his “fantastic options” up front with strikers Andy Carroll, Diafro Sakho, and Enner Valencia, and attacking midfielder Stewart Downing looking sharp. West Ham hasn't been in a higher position in the top flight of English football at Christmas Day since 1985. No Strikes for City: Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini is facing the unenviable task of negotiating the festive period without any strikers. Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic will again be missing when City plays away at West Bromwich Albion. City coped Saturday against Crystal Palace, playing midfielder James Milner up front and winning 3-0. Van Gaal's treat: Louis van Gaal is breaking with tradition at Manchester United and giving his squad Christmas Day off. Players used to train on Christmas Day under long-time coach Alex Ferguson, and did so in David Moyes' short tenure last season, too. Van Gaal is dealing with English football's unique festive fixture schedule for the first time, and sees things differently. “I believe in a total human being, so the environment is also important,” the Dutchman said ahead of United's home match against Newcastle. “They are more pleased to be at home with their wives and children.” — AP
