Unbeaten records: Four other memorable runs as Conte’s Chelsea win 11 in a row
Brilliant Blues make it a perfect 11
Antonio Conte and his juggernaut of a Chelsea side made it 11 wins in a row with victory at Crystal Palace at the weekend and are now approaching a special feat.
Diego Costa’s first-half strike was enough to see the brilliant Blues defeat Palace and inches Conte’s club to within two wins of matching Arsenal’s 2001/02 milestone.
And, with Bournemouth and Stoke City up next, they look like they just might do it.
In an incredible turn around from last season, the Stamford Bridge side now find themselves favourites to claim the PL title at 8/11 with Coral.
Therefore, in light of this, Coral look back at four other memorable unbeaten runs from across domestic and international football in recent years and how they have ended…
Arsenal
We start with the best run ever recorded in the top-flight, with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal having gone the whole of the 2003/04 campaign without tasting a league defeat. It was a historic achievement for the Gunners as they wrapped up a dominant title triumph – which was notably the last time they reigned supreme domestically.
Christened ‘the Invincibles’ for their heroics that term, the London club’s incredible streak was ultimately ended by then bitter rivals Manchester United in what was subsequently dubbed the ‘Battle of the Buffet’ in October 2004.
The defending champions came up against a Red Devils side determined to halt the 49-match undefeated streak and eventually did so, with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney striking in a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho
Moving on to current Man Utd coach Jose Mourinho next, with the self proclaimed ‘Special One’ having earned himself a remarkable unbeaten home record in previous seasons in charge of other teams across Europe.
Beginning in February 2002 and ending in April 2011, Mourinho incredibly never lost a home game during his time with all of Porto (38 games, W36-D2), Chelsea (60, W46–D14), Inter Milan (38, W29–D9) and Real Madrid (14, W14–D0), stretching an admirable 150 league matches in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, Premier League, Serie A and La Liga.
The Portuguese tactician’s sublime home league record came to an end when his Los Blancos outfit lost to Sporting Gijon, when a second-half Miguel de las Cuevas goal earned the visiting side a shock 1-0 victory at the Bernabeu.
Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement from management in 2013 has since seen Man Utd Utd go under the reins of three different permanent managers, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and now Jose Mourinho, with the Fergie having enjoyed a gallant unbeaten run during one of his final campaigns in charge.
After suffering a Premier League defeat to Chelsea on in April, 2010, the Red Devils went on to enjoy a superb undefeated streak into the following campaign, eventually losing out to Wolves in February, 2011.
Many fans had become extremely excited at the prospect of emulating Arsenal and going the entire 2010/11 campaign unbeaten until that 2-1 away loss, but 29 top-flight outings unbeaten across 11 months was an applaudable feat.
That Red Devils roster included the likes of now retired stalwart defender Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes, Edwin van der Saar and Ryan Giggs, and they went on to claim the title in 2011 but were ousted by Barcelona in the Champions League final.
Mourinho’s resurgent side are now clicking into gear and an outside shot at 18/1 to claim the title, but never rule out the Portuguese or United.
Spain
On the international scene, Spain were a force to be reckoned with under the watchful eye of former bosses Luis Aragones and Vicente del Bosque, as they rallied to an impressive 35-game unbeaten streak between February 2007 and June 2009.
Their superb streak included 32 victories and only three draws, winning Euro 2008 during that time and securing their status as one of the greatest ever international sides to grace the game.
Spain’s super run began with a victory over none other than England, but was halted by the USA at the Confederations Cup, as forward Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey were both on target to cement a stunning 2-0 success.
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