DETERMINED skipper Simon Francis is adamant Cherries must better their resilient performance of last season if lightning is to strike twice at Chelsea.

Cherries sunk the Blues 12 months ago when substitute Glenn Murray's dramatic late winner gave the Dorset club their first win at Stamford Bridge.

Francis, who led the side that day with previous captain Tommy Elphick sidelined, is hopeful of causing another upset by ending Chelsea's 11-match winning run in the Premier League.

Asked if history could repeat itself, Francis told the Daily Echo: "I don't see why not. We won there last season and deserved it. We took the game to them and played some great stuff.

"It's going to take that again. Every single man is going to have to perform at their best for us to get anything. But it will be harder than last season because of the run they have been on.

"They are not going to win every game between now and the end of the season. They are going to slip up so we've got to hope it's Boxing Day, when we're raring to go and catch them on an off-day.

"The majority of last season we were underdogs going into games and especially the big ones, and we had a few upsets.

"It's not going to be any different now and the way the club is, we wouldn't want it any other way.

"That's always been our story. Can we go there and upset the apple cart? That's the main aim."

Francis, who spread festive cheer with his team-mates on a visit to Poole Hospital on Wednesday, could shift from right-back to centre-half with Nathan Ake ineligible to face his parent club.

Reflecting on his potential position, Francis added: "I wouldn't be too surprised if I was put back in at centre-half, it would seem like the obvious option.

"I've always said I would like to play centre-half for the long term. Having said that, Nathan has come in and done excellently.

"We have shuffled the team around to accommodate everyone and we've had some good results from it, apart from against Southampton.

"Our away form needs to turn round and there is no better place to do that than at Stamford Bridge."