It was a year ago to the day that Chelsea were beaten at Leicester to leave them one point above the relegation zone. What a mess they were making of their title defence. It was too much for the club’s hierarchy and, by the end of week, Jose Mourinho was gone.
Compare that to the Chelsea of today. Six points clear at the top of the Premier League and guaranteed to be at the summit come Christmas.
What Mourinho made look so difficult with largely the same group of players last term, Antonio Conte is making look so easy 12 months on.
Cesc Fabregas shoots the ball past Papy Djilobodji to put Chelsea ahead against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light
The Spaniard roars with delight in front of the travelling Chelsea faithful after scoring for the Blues minutes before half-time
Fabregas is lifted up by Willian in celebration as Chelsea took a step towards claiming a tenth straight Premier League victory
Sunderland stopper Jordan Pickford cuts a forlorn figure as he walks back to retrieve the ball from the back of the net
The Chelsea team walk back to the centre circle as their impressive run continued at bottom club Sunderland on Wednesday
Thibaut Courtois pulled off a stunning stoppage time save to deny Sunderland's Patrick van Aanholt and seal three points
Courtois looks delighted as he and the Chelsea players leave the field after another victory extended their place at the top
