Eden Hazard hit his 50th Chelsea as the relentless Blues saw off Bournemouth and racked up their 12th consecutive Premier League win.
Only five other players have reached the impressive milestone for the red-hot league leaders.
Hazard did so as part of a Man of the Match display as Antonio Conte’s men maintained their blistering pace at the top of the table.
The Belgian had a hand in the opening goal which saw Pedro curl a magnificent effort past Artur Boruc in the 24th minute.
Hazard then sealed the win with a penalty, four minutes after the break, after he’d been brought down in the box by Simon Francis.
Bournemouth’s best efforts came through Jack Wilshere and substitute Benik Afobe, both of whom forced fine saves from Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois.
But Michy Batshuayi might want to start considering his options during the January transfer window. He jumped at the chance of a move to Chelsea – rejecting the regular first-team football he would have had if he’d chosen West Ham.
But if you can’t start a Premier League home game against Bournemouth with Diego Costa having his mid-season break – sorry, suspension – then when can you? The trouble is, Chelsea without Batshuayi cashed in.
Conte went with Pedro, Eden Hazard and Willian as an interchanging front three. Despite being up against a well-organised Bournemouth, it worked. The goal, when it came symbolised the Chelsea display.
