Bournemouth 1 Chelsea 3: Watch highlights as Adam Smith’s own goal, Eden Hazard and Marcus Alonso’s curling free-kick restore seven-point gap for brilliant Blues

CHELSEA moved back to seven points clear in the Premier League with a well-deserved 3-1 victory away at Bournemouth.

Eden Hazard was once again in fine form to guide Chelsea to a vital three points in their quest for the title, scoring one of Chelsea's two first half goals scored in two minutes. But Marcus Alonso's exquisite free-kick will take all the plaudits.

11

11

11

Diego Costa off-target shot was deflected into his own goal by Adam Smith to put Chelsea 1-0 up before Hazard netted.

Keep up to date with all the latest news, gossip, rumours and done deals in SunSport’s live transfer blog

Joshua King pulled one back for Bournemouth just before half-time, but Marcus Alonso restored the two-goal advantage in the second half.

11

11

11

Read More

JIM BIG TROUBLE

MaMan Utd staring £10million black hole in the face as Ratcliffe cuts costs

RON THE MOVE?

Ronaldo opens door to shock Man City transfer with cryptic reply to question

OLD BUT GOLD

Inside world's oldest football stadium which still hosts games after 164 years

HAPPY BLUE YEAR

Enzo Fernandez's ex-fiancee flies to London to spend NYE with Chelsea star

Chelsea took the lead in fortuitous circumstances in the 17th minute.

Diego Costa collected Victor Moses low cross. The Spanish striker turned brilliantly, but then sliced an effort that took a wicked deflection off Adam Smith to wrongfoot Artur Boruc in the Cherries' goal.

And just two minutes later it was 2-0. N'Golo Kante picked out Eden Hazard with a delightful long-range pass, the Belgian skipped in the area and fired past Boruc for 2-0.

Bournemouth showed the fighting spirit they are known for and managed to pull one back three minutes before half-time when Joshua King's effort at goal deflected off David Luiz to wrongfoot Thibaut Courtois.

But Chelsea regained that two-goal advantage in spectacular fashion in the 68th minute whjen Marcos Alonso curled home a beautiful free-kick with his left foot from 25-yards out.

With Spurs closing the gap to four points courtesy of their 4-0 thrashing of Watford in the early kick-off today, this was the perfect response from the champions-elect.

11

11

Fact, Stats, Goals and Lols

• Chelsea were hoping this week would not be their Devon Loch moment – and they kicked off at the same time the Grand National was concluding.
• Diego Costa had as many yellow cards as goals in 2017 before this match. He was denied the opener as it was credited as an Adam Smith own goal. Costa’s shot was not going in.
• Eden Hazard has matched his best Premier League season by scoring 14 goals, with his strike doubling the lead at the Vitality Stadium.
• N’Golo Kante is is known as a midfield destroyer but he showed his vision with a long pass to set up Hazard.
• Fine lines separated these two teams. Benik Afobe hit the post and David Luiz almost scored an own goal, while Costa’s slice ended up in the back of the net.

11

11

• Jack Wilshere lost the ball in the build up to the second goal. He needs to look at Kante to see what an all-round midfielder is capable of.
• The date Chelsea can lift the title is still unknown as their match against Watford has not been rearranged. Just five more wins and they are there.
• Bournemouth have not reached the 40-point mark yet but they should be looking ahead to Premier League football next season. There are worse teams than them in the top flight.
• Spurs piled the pressure on before kick-off by winning the early game. They get the chance to do that again next weekend when they face Eddie Howe’s team.
• Josh King is in red-hot form. His goal before the break was his 10th in 11 games.¬

Big Picture

11

Social Says

Dream Team Ratings

Bournemouth: Boruc 5, Smith 6, Francis 6, Cook 6, Daniels 6, Fraser 6 (Gradel, 83 5), Arter 6, Wilshere, Pugh (Ibe, 71 5), Afobe 6 (Mousset, 77 5), King 7

Subs (not used): Smith, Cook, Allsop, Cargill

Goals: King (42)

Booked: Arter, Gradel

Chelsea: Courtois 6, Azpilicueta 7, David Luiz 7, Cahill 6, Moses 7 (Zouma, 92), Kanté 7, Matic 7, Alonso 7, Pedro 7 (Willian 88 5), Hazard 8 (Fàbregas 83 6), Diego Costa 6

Subs (not used): Begovic, Batshuayi, Terry, Chalobah

Goals: Smith (17, OG), Hazard (20), Alonso (68)

Booked: Moses, Kante, Pedro

Star Man
Hazard (Chelsea)

What They Said

Goalscorer Eden Hazard: "We passed the test, we knew the Tottenham result before the game, today we deserved to win.

"It's easier to control the game when you score first, but at the end of the first half we were a bit down.

But in the second half we controlled the game, and we were happy how it went.

We have seven games to play and we want to keep on winning.

Man of the match Marcos Alonso: "We talked about going for the third goal at half-time, I'm very happy."

Antonio Conte: "When your opponent plays before, it's normal to have what I call a good pressure, but we showed we can manage this really well.

"We started very well with attention and focus. The we conceded the goal and lost a bit of confidence.

"But in the second half we dominated, and scored the goal from Marcos. He is playing a great season, and it was great for him to show his quality.

"We won against a strong team, now it is important to rest and prepare for a tough game aghainst Manchester United."