Sarri sets Premier League record as Chelsea stretch unbeaten start to 12 games

Maurizio Sarri has made Premier League history in stretching his unbeaten start as Chelsea boss to 12 games.

The Italian was handed the reins at Stamford Bridge over the summer, with the managerial baton picked up from fellow countryman Antonio Conte.

He was charged with the task of forcing the Blues back into title contention, with a humbling slump endured by the west London club after capturing the crown in 2016-17.

Sarri has made a faultless start to that quest, with Chelsea yet to come unstuck in the current campaign.

They were held in their latest outing, with Everton able to take a point from a goalless draw.

The Blues are, however, perched among the Premier League frontrunners and well placed to mount a push for the summit.

Sarri is leading that charge, with the former Napoli boss now the proud owner of a notable record.

A stalemate with the Toffees on Sunday means that he has now edged ahead of ex-Nottingham Forest boss Frank Clark when it comes to unbeaten starts made by Premier League rookies.

Chelsea were defeated in the Community Shield curtain-raiser against Manchester City back in August, but have suffered no reversals across all competitions since then.

They are making positive progress in the Premier League, Carabao Cup and Europa League as a result.

In their top-flight campaign, they opened up with five successive victories before grinding out a 0-0 draw at capital rivals West Ham.

They have dropped further points against fellow heavyweights Liverpool and Manchester United since then, with Everton the fourth side to deny them victory.

Sarri will be hoping that he can stretch his record-setting efforts towards the end of the calendar year, but is about to take in an enforced rest during the international break.

When Chelsea return to action, they will do so at Wembley Stadium when taking in a derby date with old adversaries Tottenham on November 24.