Hazard sparkles as Chelsea make it 12 in a row

Manchester City, who play at Hull City later today, are on 36 points while Manchester United closed in on the leading pack, moving alongside Tottenham Hotspur on 33 points after a 3-1 home win over Sunderland.

A routine win over the Cherries, however, represents an ominous statement of intent to the chasing pack, particularly given Chelsea had two key players suspended in Diego Costa, who had scored 13 of their 35 league goals this season, and N’Golo Kante.

Pedro started in Costa’s stead and he stepped up in style as he grabbed a brace either side of Eden Hazard’s penalty to ensure a comfortable 3-0 win for Chelsea.

Chelsea put in a commanding display without Diego Costa and remain unchallenged leaders of the Premier League.

Pedro added a third goal deep in injury time when his shot hit Steve Cook and the ball span over the line. Although Bournemouth saw more of the ball than the table-toppers both before and after the half-time break, Chelsea looked menacing virtually every time they advanced.

“I’m looking to keep improving and to make sure you don’t stand still in this league because if you do, you’re going to lose games so it is vitally important that we respond against Swansea in our next match”, Howe told Sky Sports. It’s a fantastic run but it’s important to continue that now.

Fabregas’ long ball towards Pedro nearly undid the visitors’ backline in the fifth minute and while Eddie Howe’s side carved out an early opportunity that was snuffed out by an excellent challenge by Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea remained dominant before Pedro’s outstanding strike that came after good work by Hazard and Fabregas.

Conte isn’t anxious about the upcoming challenge either, seeing it is as chance to prove themselves: “It is a good test for us to play this game without two players very important for this team, and for this reason it is important to evaluate the group situation“.

Alexis Sanchez hit the post and West Brom’s defenders made a series of desperate interventions until their resistance was broken by Giroud’s header four minutes from time.

“It is hard to take”, Pullis said. “I try in every game to make the best decision for the team without looking at the faces”.

In the second half the Blues came out in a dominant mood and were quickly 2-0 up. “We have to fight”.

Striker Andre Gray gave Burnley 1-0 home win over Middlesbrough in the first-ever Premier League meeting between the sides on Monday to lift his team above their rivals into 14th place in the table.