The victory took Chelsea past the team’s 11-game winning run from 2009, leaving them within two of the top-flight record set by Arsenal in 2002. In four days we have another tough game and we have to prepare very well.
Let’s close this episode with Juventus’ wishes, who under the Christmas tree, this year couldn’t find the gift they were expecting, after losing the Italian SuperCup on Friday in Doha, won by Milan.
On the other hand, Bournemouth rarely looked capable of repeating their victory at Stamford Bridge of last December that hastened the departure of Jose Mourinho from Chelsea.
Guus Hiddink’s first spell as the Blues’ interim manager ended – in league terms at least – with successive wins over West Ham, Fulham, Arsenal, Blackburn and Sunderland.
The absence of the suspended Diego Costa meant that there was a void to fill up front and a sizeable one at that, considering the 13 goals and five assists to his name already this season. But it was the balletic Hazard that was the star of the show.
With Costa and N’Golo Kante banned, Pedro and Cesc Fabregas filled in as Michy Batshuayi was again left on the bench.
The former Barcelona winger, in for Costa, was the able deputy once more.
Reigning champions Leicester have now managed only one win in nine as Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku earned a 2-0 win for Everton, while Andre Gray’s late strike sealed Burnley a valuable 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough.
Hazard called Artur Boruc into action after quarter-of-an-hour with a low drive that was always well within the goalkeeper’s reach. Whether Hazard knew Fabregas had already conceded a foul before the audacious attempt was unclear.
Both Pedro and Hazard scored for the Blues, with the Belgian netting from the spot, as Chelsea ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Stamford Bridge.
Hazard scored his 50th goal in 153 appearances in the Premier League.
Wing-backs Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso positioned themselves high up the field and hugged their respective touchlines, a move which allowed Willian and Pedro to drift infield and combine with Hazard in central areas.
Bournemouth’s best chance saw substitute Benik Afobe denied by Thibaut Courtois but the Cherries ended up well beaten. Pedro, a Spanish global, scored two goals in today’s match and was a commanding presence on the field.