Eden Hazard and Didier Drogba star as Chelsea crush Tottenham

Tottenham’s long wait for a victory at Stamford Bridge will enter a 25th year after Eden Hazard and Dider Drogba inspired Chelsea to a 3-0 derby win.

Having weathered an early storm, the home side struck twice in the space of three first-half minutes, through Hazard and Drogba, to break their visitors’ resolve. Spurs rallied in the second half but were undone once again by poor defending as substitute Loic Remy added a third.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side started brightly, with Harry Kane hitting the bar with an early header before flashing a left-footed shot across goal. But Spurs don’t generally do well in west London and they soon found themselves two goals down.

Hazard was the architect, firing in their first goal following a neat one-two with Drogba, before helping tee up the Ivorian to punish Hugo Lloris for a poor clearance.

Chelsea were happy to soak up their visitors’ pressure in the second half, and produced a sucker punch on the counter as Remy turned Jan Vertonghen inside out before slotting past Lloris. Victory ensures Chelsea's unbeaten start to the season remains intact.

8’ – KANE HITS THE BAR – Following a sustained period of Spurs pressure, Aaron Lennon whips in a first-time cross from the right that Kane heads against the bar.

11’ – BIG CHANCE FOR SPURS – Kane in the thick of the action again, robbing Gary Cahill before heading towards goal. He flashes his shot across goal though.

19’ – GOAL FOR CHELSEA – Tottenham’s good work is undone as Hazard plays a one-two with Drogba and fires past Lloris.

22’ – DROGBA MAKES IT TWO – Lloris is punished for a howler of a clearance, as Hazard picks up on the loose ball, and via Oscar, finds Drogba who calmly doubles Chelsea’s lead.

45’ – WILLIAN SAVES CHIRICHES’ BLUSHES – Oscar robs the Spurs right-back on the byline, but having picked out his countryman, Willian can only fire straight at Lloris.

60’ – CHANCE FOR CHELSEA – Hazard’s cross-cum-shot hits Drogba seven yards out but the Ivorian is unable to control the ball and the chance is gone.

73’ – REMY MAKES IT THREE – On as a substitute, Remy turns Vertonghen inside out before waiting for Lloris to commit and picking his spot.

Remy’s third for Chelsea, was the club’s 200th league goal against Spurs and also their 100th home league goal against their neighbours from north London.

Chelsea have equalled their club record for most consecutive home Premier League wins at the beginning of a top flight season. They also won their opening seven home matches in 2005/06 and 2009/10.

The Blues also equalled their club record for most unbeaten matches at the beginning of a league season (all divisions).

Spurs have now lost 18 and drawn 10 of their last 28 games at Stamford Bridge.

How will defeat affect Spurs? Pochettino’s men had believed they were on the way back up following victory over Everton last time out, so another loss against the league leaders will feel more than a tad demoralising. For all their possession – the visitors had 61 per cent of it – Spurs rarely looked like breaking down their hosts, especially after they went behind. That will not help the resurgence, but they will not have to play Chelsea every week. Pochettino must remind his players of that and ensure morale does not drop.

Eden Hazard (Chelsea): This was not Chelsea’s most fluent performance of the season, but the Belgian was at the heart of everything good they did going forward. A confident finish gave his side the lead, while he started the move that ended with Drogba doubling his side’s lead. On this form Hazard is often unplayable.

Chelsea: Courtois 7, Ivanovic 7, Cahill 6, Terry 6, Azpilicueta 7, Fabregas 6, Matic 7, Willian 7, Oscar 6, Hazard 8, Drogba 6. Subs: Zouma 6, Remy 7, Mikel 6

Tottenham: Lloris 5, Chiriches 5, Fazio 6, Vertonghen 5, Davies 6, Mason 6, Bentaleb 7, Lennon 6, Lamela 6, Eriksen 7, Kane 7. Subs: Paulinho 6, Chadli 6, Soldado 6