Defending champions Chelsea climbed into second spot with a 5-0 mauling of Stoke City, with winger Willian running the show in Eden Hazard’s absence in an incredibly one-sided Premier League game at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues had thrashed the Potters 4-0 away when the sides met earlier this season, with Alvaro Morata netting his first Blues hat-trick and while the Spaniard didn’t quite bring his shooting boots this time, his teammates more than made amends.
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Willian swung in a free-kick from the right for centre-back Antonio Rudiger to head home in the 3rd minute itself, and midfielder Danny Drinkwater would then score a marvellous volley six minutes later to open his Chelsea account in spectacular fashion.
Less than 10 minutes played and 2-0 up already, the visiting Stoke fans were braced for another hammering and that’s exactly what they had to suffer through for Chelsea were in a ruthless mood, even if their star forward—Alvaro Morata— wasn’t.
The £60 million-acquisition would miss a one-on-one with Jack Butland either side of half-time, with English custodian bravely denying him from further extending Chelsea’s lead.
Butland was, however, powerless to prevent Pedro from scoring as the Spanish winger beat his man with ease before sending his shot in the bottom corner seven minutes before the half-hour mark.
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At the interval, the mood around Stamford Bridge was infectious as the points were seemingly in the bag and the Blues almost paid the price for switching off as Charlie Adam released Sadio Berahino for a one-on-one but Thibaut Courtois was alert to the danger and made a vital stop to preserve his clean-sheet.
Antonio Conte made two changes as the hour-mark neared, with one eye on a London Derby clash with Arsenal on Wednesday, taking off Victor Moses and N’Golo Kante as Stoke struggled to mount a serious threat to the hosts’ goal again.
Morata’s disappointing outing was brought to a close as Michy Batshuayi replaced him with less than 20 minutes remaining and within a minute of the Belgian’s introduction, Chelsea were awarded a penalty. Geoff Cameron’s clumsy challenge on Willian warranted a spot-kick felt referee Kevin Friend and the Brazilian dusted himself off to score from the spot and there was to be one final hurrah for the hosts.
Davide Zappacosta, on in place of Moses, was rewarded for his endeavour as his left-footed shot beat Butland to pile on the pressure on already-embattled Stoke City manager Mark Hughes.
With Manchester City running away with the league title, the race for the top four is very much on and the fact that the Blues overtook second-placed Manchester United momentarily will give their fans plenty to cheer for as 2017 comes to a close.
The Blues next take on Arsenal on Wednesday night, a tie that promises to be full of fireworks while Stoke take on Newcastle United on Monday in what seems to be a clash of misfiring sides.