Why Everton would rather be away for Christmas

They're looking for their ninth successive away win of the season to keep up a remarkable 100% record that has been perfectly timed given their loss of invincibility in west London.

As for Everton, well they have been so generous, Goodison is probably the only ground St Nick will come away from with more presents than he was dropping off on Friday morning.

No side has won fewer games on their own turf during this campaign, the sole victory coming courtesy of a late Louis Saha goal against Fulham.

Curiously, it is Fulham who have taken the most home points out of any side in the Premier League, suggesting that it's not just the Gwladys Street regulars who have been short changed.

There are many differing reasons for Everton's plight. The first two home games were played in an atmosphere of early season pessimism, perfectly understandable given the paucity of new players Everton were seeing in the new season with - Blackburn and Portsmouth took full advantage.

But there has since been a general trend of sides being unable to press home advantage.

And midfielder Leon Osman thinks the answer to the riddle lies in Everton's last performance, when they heaped more misery on Manchester City's suffering supporters with a 1-0 victory at Eastlands.

"Playing away form home does seem to suit us better, doesn't it?," says Osman.

"Maybe we have to force the issue at home and we don't go out to defend. But there's not an onus to come out and attack.

"We can keep possession without pressure being put on us, not just from the opposition but maybe from the crowd a swell.

"You could see at City last week when they were passing it around at the back, the crowd were on their backs - and that was just them keeping possession!

"It makes the players on the pitch nervous so for us to come away and stop them playing and force them into mistakes is something that suits us."

And there you have it. The edginess Everton have often shown when trying to get a foothold in a home game has been as synonymous wth Goodison as St Luke's Church.

But that kind of mood has been a blessing for many clubs and the stats show that it's no more prominent at Everton than anywhere else.

As proven by the stirring reaction to Phil Neville's tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo when Manchester United were leading in October, Evertonians can make an impact.

Goodison was rocking again and minutes later, Marouane Fellaini headed in an equaliser that could easily have been added to in a thrilling finale.

It was evidence of what the Everton following are capable of and Osman would love to see the rousing reception the team received at the City of Manchester Stadium last week at the other end of the M62.

"The fans are fantastic away from home and follow us everywhere," added the midfielder.

"I don't think I've ever seen a spare seat in an away end since I've been a the club, they always fill the allotted seats and make some noise.

"And I'm sure they will do that when we play Chelsea because they always make sure we get great support in the big games."

Everton have struggled to build on good results all season, with a 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa their last home game coming off the 1-0 win at Spurs. But Osman sees the visit of a side so formidable on their travels as no reason why they can't capitalise on their latest away win.

"We will be thinking Chelsea is an opportunity for us to go out and continue playing how we have for the last couple of weeks - and do it against a top side," he added.

"I firmly believe if we do that we will get something form the game."