Five-star Chelsea hammer Everton to go top

Chelsea stormed to the top of the Premier League table as they made it five straight wins with a resounding 5-0 success over Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Antonio Conte's men took advantage of Manchester City's draw with Middlesbrough to leapfrog Pep Guardiola's men at the summit courtesy of a devastating display from start to finish.

Ronald Koeman opted for a back three to try and counter the home side's flourishing 3-4-3 system and it backfired spectacularly as the Toffees' previously stubborn defence was torn to shreds.

Chelsea's front trio continue to look completely revitalised under Conte and they were the architects of this statement of their title credentials.

Eden Hazard opened the scoring with a low strike from the left of the area before playing a role in the second just 70 seconds later as Pedro crossed for Marcos Alonso to fire under Maarten Stekelenburg.

Everton soon reverted to a more familiar system, but by that point Chelsea were in full flow and it could easily have been more than 3-0 by the interval after Diego Costa swept in Nemanja Matic's flick-on from Hazard's corner.

The Toffees have not won in the league at Stamford Bridge since 1994 and they endured further misery in the second half as Hazard snared his second after a lovely one-two with Pedro before the Spaniard got in on the act when he tucked home a rebound.

The result means Chelsea are now a point clear at the summit but have played a game more than both Arsenal and Liverpool who are each in action on Sunday.

Chelsea's switch to a 3-4-3 formation on October 1 at Hull City has led to an inspired upturn in fortunes. Five straight league wins and 16 goals without reply has seen them emerge as very serious title contenders, particularly as their front three of Pedro, Costa and Hazard are back to their best. It was a real compliment that Koeman opted to try and neutralise the system by going with three at the back, but it was a complete disaster for the visitors. The Toffees didn't look comfortable and never recovered as Chelsea turned on the style.

Eden Hazard (Chelsea). The Belgian was bewitching at times, combining speedy footwork with probing passes and clinical finishes. This is the type of form that saw him crowned player of the year back in 2015 and if he continues to star alongside Costa and Pedro, Chelsea could be in for a very exciting season.

CHELSEA: Courtois 6; Azpilicueta 7, David Luiz 7, Cahill 7; Moses 8, Kante 8, Matic 8, Alonso 7; Pedro 9, Diego Costa 9, Hazard 9. Subs: Oscar 6, Batshuayi n/a, Terry n/a.

EVERTON: Stekelenburg 6, Coleman 5, Jagielka 5, Williams 6, Funes Mori 5, Oviedo 5, Barry 5, Cleverley 5, Barkley 5, Bolasie 5, Lukaku 5. Subs: Mirallas 5, Lennon 5, Davies 5.

19' - GOAL! CHELSEA 1-0 EVERTON. Hazard opens the scoring with a fizzing low shot after he cut in from the left on his right foot. It's his fourth goal in four matches. Costa fed him as Chelsea broke quickly when Everton lost it in the midfield. There was still much to do but Hazard bamboozled two defenders and lashed in a low shot that Stekelenburg will feel he should have got to.

20' - GOAL! CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON. It's two in a minute! Everton are all over the place as Hazard and Pedro combine for Alonso to arrive and fire the ball under Stekelenburg and into the net. Chelsea on course for top spot!

34' - CHELSEA CHANCE! Moses ghosts in at the far post to thunder Alonso's deep cross against the woodwork.

42' - GOAL! CHELSEA 3-0 EVERTON. Costa gets his goal. Matic flicks on a right-wing Hazard corner and Costa is on hand to crash it beyond the keeper.

56' - GOAL! CHELSEA 4-0 EVERTON. Hazard snares his second of the game. The Belgian exchanges a lovely one-two with Pedro on the right and charges into the box before flashing a low shot past the keeper at the near post. What a back heel from Pedro to set the Belgian free.

65' - GOAL! CHELSEA 5-0 EVERTON. Pedro tucks in the rebound from close range after Hazard's first-time shot was parried into his path. Brilliant build-up play by Costa to start that move and feed Hazard on the left of the area.

Eden Hazard scored in four consecutive Premier League appearances for the first time in his career.

There were just 70 seconds between Chelsea's first two goals versus Everton.

Diego Costa has had a hand in more goals than any other Premier League player this season (9 goals, 3 assists).

Chelsea didn't allow the opposition a single first half shot for the first time in the PL since Jan 2013 v Reading.

Chelsea have won five of their six Premier League home games this season, as many as they managed in the whole of 2015/16.

Everton have conceded 5+ goals in a Premier League game for the first time since shipping 6 against Chelsea in August 2014.