Chelsea restore seven-point lead with victory over Bournemouth

Eden Hazard was in sparkling form as Chelsea restored their seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League table with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth.

Adam Smith’s own-goal opened the scoring in an action-packed first half, a sliced Diego Costa shot hitting his face before going in, and three minutes later Chelsea had doubled their lead.

While the first was scruffy, the second goal was anything but. N'Golo Kante set Hazard through on goal with a delicious through ball, then the Belgian calmly rounded Artur Boruc with a lovely feint and rolled the ball home.

Bournemouth were second best but did offer something going forward and got a goal back shortly before half-time through the in-form Josh King, whose deflected effort beat Thibaut Courtois at his near post.

Costa, who is still looking for Premier League goal number 50, twice failed to make contact with inviting crosses after the break but did win the free-kick that secured the win for Chelsea. Marcos Alonso stepped up and curled it expertly into the top corner in the 68th minute.

It was another crucial win for Antonio Conte's side after the 2-1 win over Manchester City in midweek and ensures that Tottenham's win over Watford does not allow them to close the gap at the top of the table. Bournemouth meanwhile, still on 35 points, have dropped to 15th.

Chelsea take another big step towards title. If you thought the title race was still on before this match, maybe you don’t now. Tottenham may be in fine form, but so too are Chelsea and last weekend’s defeat to Crystal Palace looks like an anomaly rather than nerves taking their toll. Even if Spurs win all their remaining games, unlikely in itself, it’s very hard to see Chelsea dropping a point a match.

Eden Hazard (Chelsea). He took his goal brilliantly - from the first touch that got the ball out of his feet to the bodyswerve to the calm finish despite stumbling - and it capped another match where he was the best and most dangerous player on the pitch.

17’ - GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea (Smith o/g). Moses drives into the box and finds Costa on the turn who slices a shot into the net, via a deflection.

20’ - GOAL! Bournemouth 0-2 Chelsea (Hazard). Hazard is released by a glorious Kante through ball and he rushes to get one-on-one with Boruc, who he goes past with a bodyswerve, before tucking home from a tight angle despite stumbling. A brilliant goal.

29’ - POST! Daniels' cross from the left is met by Afobe by the penalty spot and he sends a volley crashing off the far post.

42’ - GOAL! Bournemouth 1-2 Chelsea (King). King runs at the defence before trying his luck from the corner of the box and, via a deflection off Luiz, finds the near top corner.

56’ - CHANCE! Alonso sends in a low cross which is missed by Costa four yards out as he takes an airshot.

68’ - GOAL! Bournemouth 1-3 Chelsea (Alonso). Alonso steps up and curls a free-kick into the top corner, from a little more than 20 yards, and Boruc doesn’t even moving.

80’ - SAVE! Moses swaps passes with Pedro before stinging the face of Boruc, who makes a good save from close range.

AFC Bournemouth: Boruc 6, Smith 5, Francis 6, Cook 6, Daniels 5, Fraser 5, Arter 6, Wilshere 5, Pugh 5, King 7, Afobe 5. Subs: Ibe 5, Mousset 5, Gradel 5.

Chelsea: Courtois 6, Azpilicueta 6, David Luiz 6, Cahill 6, Moses 7, Kante 7, Matic 6, Alonso 7, Pedro 6, Diego Costa 5, Hazard 7. Subs: Fabregas 6, Willian n/a, Zouma n/a.

Chelsea haven’t kept a clean sheet in nine league games.

These two sides have never played out a draw.

Hazard has scored four goals in four games versus the Cherries.