Jose Mourinho has played down the significance of Chelsea topping the Premier League table at Christmas.
Mourinho's side beat Stoke City 2-0 on Monday to re-establish their three-point lead over second-placed Manchester City ahead of the hectic festive period.
The Blues boasted top spot at Christmas in each of their three previous title wins in 2005, 2006 and 2010.
Despite the omens pointing to another success come May, the Portuguese - who led Chelsea to two of those triumphs - says that the statistic is unimportant when gauging the likelihood of a fourth title.
"I don't think that is important. What we did in the past is not important," he told Sky Sports News.
"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, really well.
"In my opinion we were the best team until this day - that's why we are top of the league."
The West Londoners host in-form West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Friday, before travelling to Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur on December 28 and January 1 respectively.
Shane Callaghan
