Put on Christmas show, Mourinho tells Chelsea

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho wants his players to show the world why they are currently on top of the Premier League table when they host West Ham United on Dec. 26.
     
Monday night's 2-0 victory at Stoke City ensured that Chelsea would be the league leaders over Christmas and they will maintain that position with a positive result at home to their London rivals on Boxing Day.
      
Chelsea then travel to Southampton two days later and have a league clash with Tottenham Hotspur and an FA Cup third-round date with Watford on the horizon as well.
      
The other big leagues in Europe have all shut down for the festive season, but Mourinho is relishing his team's role as busy holiday entertainers.
      
"At this moment the German guys are on the beach, the Spanish guys are in the Maldives getting sun -- everybody else is doing that," he said.
      
"But in this country you play on the 22nd, you play on Boxing Day, you play on the 28th, you play on New Year's Day. There is no Christmas, just football, and I think the players deserve respect.
      
"The supporters all around the country give them that respect because every stadium is sold out. And the way to do it is with the kind of professionalism my players have shown."      

Last season, West Ham defied the odds to hold out for a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge and they will be hopeful of at least repeating that result given that they are in fine form, sitting in fourth place in the table.
      
Chelsea are likely to recall playmaker Oscar for the occasion, especially as Eden Hazard was hurt at Stoke, and midfielder Nemanja Matic is adamant that whoever plays will be ready to perform.
      
"We have to be focused on our game," he...