Chelsea have moved above Manchester United into second position in the Premier League table courtesy of a 4-0 win over struggling West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
Alvaro Morata, Eden Hazard (2) and Marcos Alonso scored the goals for the impressive visitors as West Brom’s winless run in the Premier League stretched to 10 matches.
West Brom thought that they had taken the lead in the fifth minute when Rondon headed home from close range, but the centre-forward was flagged offside as the home celebrations were cut short.
Chelsea’s first chance of the match arrived in the 14th minute when Tiemoue Bakayoko broke into the home side’s penalty box, but the Frenchman’s effort was deflected just wide of the post by diving defender Gareth McAuley.
The Blues did take the lead three minutes later, however, when Morata converted from close range after West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster could only palm an Hazard strike into his own box.
The visitors were purring though and scored their second of the afternoon in the 23rd minute when Hazard raced onto a flick from Morata before finding the back of the net with a calm finish.
It went from bad to worse for the Baggies in the 38th minute when Alonso converted a Cesc Fabregas cross at the far post as the points were all but sealed before the half-time interval.
Jay Rodriguez sent one wide of the Chelsea post early in the second period as the home side looked to give their supporters something to cheer.
The visitors then came close to a fourth when Hazard darted into the penalty area before looking to pick out the bottom corner, but Foster was on hand to make a fine save.
Chelsea had their fourth in the 62nd minute, however, when Hazard collected a chipped pass from Fabregas before settling and finishing into the back of the net.
Morata whistled one over the crossbar 20 minutes from time as the visitors looked for more goals, but Hazard was given a rest as Pedro entered the field.
Trending
- YPP urges FG to reconsider Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project
- Family accuses soldiers of killing 12 members, seizing 700 cows, others
- Man jailed 14 years for attempted sexual assault on minor
- Cybersecurity levy: TUC kicks, threatens shutdown
- Floods death toll in Kenya rises to 238 as heavy rains continue
- Senate moves to strengthen ICAN’s powers, professional integrity
- Court Registrar arraigned for alleged misappropriation of dead man’s N3.8m
- Awujale names Oladunjoye as Onigegewura of Ijebuland