Eden Hazard scored twice as Chelsea climbed to the top of the Premier League for the first time since August with a stylish victory over Everton.
Hazard put Chelsea ahead with a low angled shot before Marcos Alonso added a second when he slotted through Maarten Stekelenburg’s legs.
Diego Costa made it 3-0 from a corner just before half-time and Hazard scored the pick of the goals after the break.
Pedro put the gloss on the result when he tapped into an empty net.
Everton spent the majority of the game penned in their own half and did not manage a shot on target in the entire 90 minutes as Chelsea produced a ruthless and dominant performance.
Many of the visiting Everton supporters left Stamford Bridge well before the final whistle. Those that remained applauded the home side off the pitch with the biggest ovation of all reserved for Hazard who capped a brilliant display with two superb goals.
Three still the magic number
In an attempt to stifle the 3-4-3 system which had earned Antonio Conte’s side four consecutive Premier League wins before this encounter Everton manager Ronald Koeman reverted to three men at the back.
However, the tactical ploy proved to be ineffective as the Dutchman saw his side outpassed and outclassed by Conte’s men as they produced a mesmerising first-half display.
Confidence has been sky high among Chelsea’s players since their 4-0 demolition of Manchester United last month and the swagger with which they dismantled Everton will only further fuel talk of a title challenge.
In the five games since the formation change Conte’s side have scored 16 goals, and conceded none.
Chelsea look a completely different team from the sluggish outfit that struggled under Jose Mourinho last season. This display was a real statement of intent.
Frustrated Lukaku fires blank
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku would have been desperate to impress against former club Chelsea but the Belgium international was a subdued presence.
Luakaku, who joined Everton from Chelsea for a club record £28m in July 2014, was barely able to get on the ball in the final third as Chelsea dominated.
Despite being paired alongside Yannick Bolasie he was deprived of service and spent large parts of the game chasing lost causes.
The 23-year-old has now played five Premier League matches for the Toffees against his former club, but has yet to score in any of them.
Hazard back to his brilliant best
If Lukaku endured a frustrating game, the opposite was true for his compatriot Hazard who has truly rediscovered his joie de vivre as he scored in his fourth consecutive league game.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa may have had a hand in more goals than any other Premier League player with nine goals and three assists, but it is Hazard that has supporters on their feet whenever he is on the ball.
The effortless manner with which he glided past the dazed yellow shirts of Everton’s defence for his two goals was breathtaking.
Conte claimed the 25-year-old forward is on the right track to becoming one of the world’s best players and on this evidence that is no exaggeration.
