Chelsea 1-0 West Brom: Premier League - as it happened

So a ninth straight win sees Chelsea top the table again with two games to go until Christmas. The football doesn't end there however with Manchester United taking on Tottenham before Liverpool host West Ham. You can follow all the action from Old Trafford here. Goodbye for now.

This is what victory means for the Premier League table, with three games remaining this weekend.

Full time: Chelsea 1-0 West Brom

Chelsea return to the Premier League summit after Diego Costa scores his 12th top flight goal of the campaign. West Brom fought hard but a Gareth McAuley mistake let them down and ends a five match unbeaten run. Antonio Conte is delighted, as is a relieved home support.

Four added minutes at Stamford Bridge. Can West Brom find an equaliser?

Entering the closing minutes at Stamford Bridge where it looks like West Brom have run out of puff somewhat after holding Chelsea at bay for so long. Chasing the game does not suit them and the hosts look comfortable.

Craig Dawson takes aim with a dipping volley but it flies over the crossbar. Courtois needn't worry about those. Chelsea look totally unflustered since taking the lead.

Diego Costa puts Chelsea ahead with a fine finish on 75 minutes.

Goal: Chelsea 1-0 West Brom (Diego Costa)

One mistake and Chelsea have the breakthrough. Gareth McAuley fails to deal with a routine miss-placed pass and is disposed by Costa. The Spaniard holds off the West Brom defender before smashing the ball beyond Foster into the top corner. Relief for Antonio Conte.

Thibaut Courtois has been the busier of the two goalkeepers at Stamford Bridge.

Change of system from Chelsea. Will it have the desired effect?

David Luiz has taken a blow to the head it seems and is receiving treatment. Looks like he'll be ok to continue. Not been his more assuring display since he returned to west London, it must be said.

West Brom haven't given up hope of taking all three points this afternoon and they almost hit the front when Morrison crosses from the left and it takes a despairing block from Cahill to prevent Rondon from finding the net.

Now Cahill intervenes again as Fletcher closes in eight yards out. Chelsea on the ropes now.

Dawson escapes being dismissed as Mike Dean keeps his cards in his pocket. David Luiz tests Foster with a daisy-cutter, which the 'keeper touches behind but without conceding a corner - much to the consternation of Chelsea's support who are growing increasingly frustrated.

Darren Fletcher has been key to West Brom's resilience at Stamford Bridge.

West Brom have not been without ambition this afternoon and they threaten again when Brunt crosses and Courtois is forced to come out and claim the ball ahead of Dawson. Chelsea having things far from their own way.

And now Craig Dawson is cautioned for a foul on Costa. He will miss the game with Swansea in mid-week after receiving his fifth booking of the season.

Yellow card for N'Golo Kante as he takes down Craig Dawson as West Brom look to break. Chelsea remain frustrated by Willian is warming up at the start of the second half. His introduction can't be far away.

Players out for the second half at Stamford Bridge where we're back underway. Can Chelsea break through this West Brom rearguard?

Antonio Conte has cut a dejected figure in the first half as Chelsea chase a ninth straight win.

Half time: Chelsea 0-0 West Bromwich Albion

Good work from West Brom in this first half and they have made Chelsea look distinctly ordinary so far. Just one shot in target in the opening 45 minutes and the Baggies have even threatened themselves.

With a huge number of fixtures to come during the festival period let's hope this slow start isn't a sign of things to come. Not the most thrilling of matches so far at Stamford Bridge and everyone needs a bit of waking up.

N'Golo Kante shoots goalwards and is deflects agonisingly wide of Foster's goal. Better from Chelsea, who have not really woken up this morning.

Best chance of the game and it comes for West Brom again. Salomon Rondon pickpockets David Luiz and takes on Azpilicueta. He drives into the box and shoots left footed, across Courtois but wide of goal. Luiz has looked much like his former self at time this afternoon.

Chris Brunt with the best chance of the game as he shoots across Courtois but wide of the Chelsea goal. Now the Northern Ireland international became the first person in Mike Dean's book after he takes down Diego Costa. The free-kick comes to nothing however.

Nemanja Matic is back in the Chelsea midfield this afternoon.

First glimmer of Chelsea's majestic interplay. Hazard and Costa both combine before the former stabs a pass into towards Pedro, but Foster smothers the ball.

Chelsea's record scorer Frank Lampard in attendance this afternoon.

Matt Phillips hammers well over for West Brom. Two efforts already by the visitors, though far from accurate, and Chelsea have been warned. Good start from Pulis' men.

And half a chance for the Baggies as Craig Dawson crosses from the right and Brunt jumps but can't keep the header down.

Frank Lampard joined by Andrea Pirlo and Joe Cole - both of whom have been training with the club - in the directors' box this afternoon. West Brom holding their own in the opening stages of the game.

Underway at Stamford Bridge. West Brom playing in an all black kit, which should make things easy. Not.

Players on the way at the Bridge. Sunny yet chilly day in west London. Can Chelsea return to the top or will West Brom cause a surprise?

Approaching kick-off in the first of four matches on this Sunday afternoon. Just the 23 goals in the six games on Saturday, another 15 today and it will set a new Premier League record.

Frank Lampard watching his former club this afternoon after leaving New York City.

Despite enduring an underwhelming transfer window, West Brom have been the surprise package of the season so far in the Premier League. Victory today could see them finish the weekend in sixth. They have been swatted aside by the likes of Liverpool and Man City this term but could they cause a shock this afternoon?

The festivities continue around Stamford Bridge ahead of kick-off. Who will be unwrapping an early Christmas present this afternoon?

Are we already looking at a two horse race for the Premier League title? Arsenal went four points clear of Liverpool in third with victory over Stoke and Chelsea can go seven ahead if they overcome West Brom. With The Reds' defensive troubles and Manchester City's problems is it an all-London battle for this year's crown. Too soon to tell, I would say.

So almost as you were with regard to Chelsea and West Brom this afternoon. Cesc Fabregas is replaced by Nemanja Matic in the only alteration for the Blues from the win at Man City, while the Baggies are unchanged for the fifth game in a row.

And as expected, just one change for Chelsea.

West Brom unchanged from win over Watford.

West Brom also in place as they chase their first win at Stamford Bridge since 1978.

Chelsea have arrived as they chase a ninth straight win.

You may ask what on earth has possessed the Premier League to organise a game on a Sunday lunchtime when any reasonable human being should be tucked up in bed. TV dictates and the Europa League dictates that we have four matches in all to feast upon. Later, Manchester United host Tottenham and Liverpool take on West Ham. We will have live coverage of both matches later in the day.

We're around 20 minutes from receiving the teams at Stamford Bridge, but until then how do we expect both sides to line-up?

Nemanja Matic is fit again for Chelsea and should replace Cesc Fabregas in midfield. Oscar and John Terry will miss out but Diego Costa and Pedro are available.

West Brom have doubts over James Morrison and Gareth McAuley while Sadio Berahino is not deemed fit enough for first team action.

The bizarre Christmas novelties continue across football.

He may not be Portuguese, wear expensive jackets and be among the most quotable personalities in football management, but Antonio Conte is breeding the type of success that Jose Mourinho could only have dreamed of during his second spell at Chelsea.

Victory at Manchester City last weekend was the best single display by any side in the top flight this season and after Pep Guardiola's men lost again to Leicester, could the title race yet be a two-horse race this term?

Italian Conte will not be getting ahead of himself but will know another win will edged the Blues closer to being top of the table at Christmas - a position six of the last seven champions have occupied at the same stage. West Brom represent today's test and after being harshly denied victory in last season's meeting they will be keen to avenge 38 years at hurt in the top flight at Stamford Bridge.

All the team news and build-up ahead of the 12:00pm GMT kick-off on the way.