page_title: 2015–16 Chelsea F.C. season
section_title: December
hierarchical_section_title: 2015–16 Chelsea F.C. season / Month by month review / December
caption_attribution_description: English: Chelsea F.C.play their last Premier League home game against Bouremouuth under manager Jose Mourinho.December 2015 Chelsea lose 1-0
context_page_description: The 2015–16 season was Chelsea's 102nd competitive season, 27th consecutive season in the top flight of English football, 24th consecutive season in the Premier League, and 110th year in existence as a football club. They entered this season as reigning champions after winning the league for a fifth time the previous season, and also participated in the FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield and the UEFA Champions League. The season covers the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.
context_section_description: Glenn Murray scored a dramatic late winning goal as AFC Bournemouth recorded one of the most famous wins in their history against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The substitute had been on the pitch for just 99 seconds before he bundled home the winner. Mourinho's side, who sit 14th in the table, have now suffered eight defeats in 15 league games and Eden Hazard's goalless streak stretching to 25 games in all competitions.
  Chelsea advanced to the Champions League knockout stage with a 2–0 victory, which eliminated opponents Porto and sent the Portuguese side into the Europa League. Costa, on the bench in the Blues' last two games, had a hand in the opening goal when his saved effort rebounded in off Iván Marcano and Willian scored the second goal.
  The Blues lost their ninth Premier League game (out of sixteen) of the season, while Leicester City moved to the top of the Premier League, in a 2–1 loss on Monday. This left the defending champions just one point clear of the relegation. Jamie Vardy scored for the sixth consecutive Premier League home match and Riyad Mahrez scored the second goal before Loïc Rémy could halve the deficit with 13 minutes remaining.
  On 17 December, after the loss against Leicester City and after losing nine out of sixteen league games, manager José Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea. Former Netherlands boss Guus Hiddink was appointed interim Chelsea manager until the end of the season following the sacking of Mourinho. The Dutchman was to be at Stamford Bridge for Sunderland's match, but Steve Holland took control of team matters for the game alongside Eddie Newton, who now took on the role of assistant first-team coach.
  Chelsea began their second post-José Mourinho era by scoring three goals in the Premier League for the first time in nearly four months to beat Sunderland. Fabio Borini pulled one back for Sunderland when he bundled in from close range, but that was not enough to take it to a comeback. The day was marked by fan protests and shows of support for Mourinho.
  On Boxing Day, Diego Costa scored twice as Guus Hiddink's second spell as Chelsea boss started with a 2–2 draw against Watford.
  On 28 December, keepers David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois were the stars of the show as Manchester United and Chelsea drew 0–0.
  Source:
caption: The away goalmouth in Chelsea's home defeat to AFC Bournemouth.
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