Sunday's home game brings a reverse of the first away game of the season. Chelsea have taken 31 points from the last 33 available at Stamford Bridge. A victory on Sunday against Manchester United would be the Blues' 100th from 142 Premier League matches under Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese coach's unbeaten home record in the top flight currently stands at an equally remarkable 70.

The Old Trafford outfit recently suffered three successive defeats for the first time since 2001. The Red Devils' goal difference against their rivals for a European finish suggests they are currently punching above their weight in the league, and perhaps that is because they are fairing notably better against inferior opposition.

All the top seven Barclays Premier League sides won last weekend, suggesting that the tournament is not quite as balanced as it might be. Chelsea will now aim to extend the five-point gap to the side in fifth as the second half of the season progresses, in order to secure a Champions League place.

When neutrals and opponents start muttering about 'grinding' and the 'Chelsea machine' you can start believing we have our Mourinho era back. Fernando Torres's outstanding effort in the 2-0 win at the KC Stadium -his 200th Premier league game- means he now has three goals in his last six league games. Our third successive shutout on the road meant Petr Cech duly eased ahead of fellow Chelsea legend Peter Bonetti to register his 209th clean sheet.

By coincidence 209 is the same total the club's all-time top scorer Frank Lampard has registered so far. What a rare privilege to be a fan of Chelsea during such a period.

There is also a new face to welcome back to the fold: Portugal's 2012/13 player of the year, Nemanja Matic. The Serbia international is the 10th prodigal son to return to Stamford Bridge.

The full list is: Alec Cheyne, who left in 1932 and returned in 1934; Allan Harris 1964, 1966; Charlie Cooke 1972, 1974; Alan Hudson 1974, 1983; Peter Osgood 1974, 1978; John Hollins 1975, 1983; Steve Wicks 1979, 1986; Nigel Spackman 1987, 1992; Graeme Le Saux 1993, 1997; and Matic 2011, 2014.

Any media commentator rushing to judgment on the money the Blues received and paid out for the 25-year-old might ponder that, for example, Arsenal sold Martin Keown in 1986 for £200,000 and bought him back in 1993 for 10 times that amount. And how Sunday's opponents, United, could do with the £30m-plus rated centre-back Gerard Pique, who they sold back to Camp Nou for virtually the same fee they paid Barcelona.

Meantime, while the Special One has been able to add Matic to his tactical preparations for Sunday this week, Man United's Chosen One and his assistant Phil Neville appear to have been on an 'If it's Tuesday it must be Belgium' scouting mission around European football grounds.

When Sir Alex Ferguson went to watch a player it was an indication the end game in a transfer was close. His successor does things differently. New scouts were among the staff David Moyes sensibly brought with him, and he has replaced most of Ferguson's backroom staff. He now clearly feels the need to refresh his playing personnel.

It is a busy few days ahead for Man United with a crucial Capital One Cup semi-final second leg next week to factor in. They returned to winning ways last weekend, making it an impressive five victories from six matches in the league.

Three consecutive 1-2 defeats in all competitions at the start of the year had given the impression the 'bus that waits for no one' was forcing its passengers to get out and walk. West Bromwich Albion, Everton, Newcastle and Swansea have won at Old Trafford for the first time in decades or, in the Swans' case, ever.

Moyes, who has pitted his wits against Chelsea more than any other team, has never beaten a Mourinho side, nor won in the league at the Bridge, Arsenal or Anfield.

The Scot has achieved virtually the same record he had with Everton at last season's mid-point: 34 from 19 with the Red Devils, compared to 33 from 19 in 2012/13. Man United had amassed 46 in the last campaign; Everton under Roberto Martinez had 37 after 19 games this season.

Chelsea's 46 points after 21 matches is five better than last season's campaign.

Arsenal and Manchester City are hot favourites to take all three points again from their matches this weekend, yet Fulham have managed consecutive score draws at Emirates and City were stunned by a 2-3 defeat at Cardiff earlier this season. In the next batch of league games both the top two plays away (at Southampton and Spurs respectively), while Chelsea host West Ham.


- Match preview by chelseafc.com