Chelsea continued their march towards the English Premier League title after cruising to 3-1 victory over Bournemouth. The visitors never looked troubled and had complete control of the match, securing an easy three points.
The Blues scored two goals in three first half minutes before Joshua King’s deflected effort pulled one back for the hosts. The Cherries looked slightly resurgent but Chelsea wrested control back from them and sealed the victory thanks to a fine free-kick from Marcos Alonso in the second half.
It was another professional performance from Antonio Conte’s side and despite the hiccup against Crystal Palace, only a catastrophe can stop the Blues from bringing the Premier League trophy back to Stamford Bridge.
Eden Hazard’s performance was brilliant once more and Twitter was quick to praise the Belgian genius.
Eden Hazard this season ? pic.twitter.com/UEsbQO3Mgi
— Hazard Stuff (@HazardStuff_) April 8, 2017
Hazard absolutely coming into his own when we need him is the reason he’s a special player. People obsessed with numbers can’t see that.
— J. Tweeds (@JoeTweedie) April 8, 2017
What a goal, pure class. Eden Hazard. pic.twitter.com/NZRiZIz6s3
— Hazard Stuff (@HazardStuff_) April 8, 2017
Eden Hazard is smashing his MOTM record from his POTY 14/15 season! And still has 7 games to play! ? pic.twitter.com/7sVnTzn726
— EH10 (@EddieazzarCFC) April 9, 2017
In 2014-15:
14 goals,9 assist, 10 man of the match in the League2016-17:
14 goals, 5 assist, 12 man of the match.EDEN HAZARD ? pic.twitter.com/tmJPcpSv5I
— The CFC Fans Forum (@TheCFCFansForum) April 9, 2017
Eden Hazard vs Bournemouth:
94% pass accuracy
68 touches
5 key passes
3 dribbles
2 shots
1 goalWhat a player. pic.twitter.com/YJjkG1eE0L
— Hazard Stuff (@HazardStuff_) April 8, 2017
The Eden Hazard feint-right, go-left finish mesmerises goalkeepers like a glitch in the Matrix
— Sam Wallace (@SamWallaceTel) April 8, 2017
2-0 Hazard. That dummy was amazing.
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) April 8, 2017
Antonio Conte also came in for lots of praise, particularly on the back of another fine performance from Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses, who looked like a lost cause after joining Chelsea before the Italian took over.
It’s incredible how good Chelsea are with a manager who doesn’t label each of them a traitor after every single game.
— JOE.co.uk (@JOE_co_uk) April 8, 2017
Moses’ story is incredible. Man was chilling on loan this time last season & now Chelsea fans are ecstatic because he’s back from injury.
— ㅤ (@HazardEdition) April 8, 2017
Last season I’d forgotten Marcos Alonso existed & thought Victor Moses was finished. Conte’s turned them into 2 of the best wing backs going
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 8, 2017
Chelsea is a much better team with Victor Moses in the side. Nigerian God.
— #CarefreeDaily ? (@CarefreeDaily) April 8, 2017
Still madness to think how vital Moses is to us this season.
— Megan (@megan_442) April 8, 2017
Chelsea fans, I just want to say the team have already exceeded expectations after finishing 10th last year. What Conte has done is unreal..
— ConteTweets (@ConteTweets) April 8, 2017
Since 2003, Zlatan Ibrahimović has won the league in every season he’s played, except two.
The two years he came up against Antonio Conte. pic.twitter.com/dtvpE42Fbq
— Chelsea News App (@CFCNewsApp) April 8, 2017
Eden Hazard even tracking back this late just shows how Conte has got him going. Unreal player. Best in the league. #CFC
— ConteTweets (@ConteTweets) April 8, 2017
Spurs are a machine, they’re not over-reliant on one player like we are with Hazard. All down to Mourinho, Conte will fix this.
— El Patrón (@BeIgianMaestro) April 8, 2017
Marcos Alonso’s brilliant free-kick was also the subject of praise and the left wing-back put in yet another solid performance for the Blues.
Take a bow, @marcosalonso03! What a free-kick! ?#BOUCHE pic.twitter.com/TpsS8oihTc
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 8, 2017
Marcos Alonso, top bins!pic.twitter.com/SQrJa05E7n
— ChelseaUK (@CheIseaUK) April 8, 2017
Since November, no Premier League defender has scored more goals than Marcos Alonso’s five. Decent signing.
— Jake Cohen (@JakeFCohen) April 8, 2017
Anyone who thinks Marcos Alonso isn’t good, doesn’t understand the game of football. #CFC #BOUCHE
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) April 8, 2017
Marcos Alonso’s game by numbers vs. Bournemouth:
100% aerial duels won
4 crosses
3 tackles won
2 clearances
2 blocks
1 goalClass. pic.twitter.com/dp6HlZ1Ji3
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 8, 2017
Marcos Alonso given Man Of The Match. The guy has become something else this second half of the season.
— Uber Chelsea FC (@UberCheIseaFC) April 8, 2017
Marcos Alonso now has more league goals than Paul Pogba
— Keir (@Kingkeir) April 8, 2017
I believe Marcos Alonso has been criticised wrongly over the season, we expect top players but he has definitely performed. #CFC
— ConteTweets (@ConteTweets) April 8, 2017
If Xabi Alonso is Champagne then Marcos Alonso is Lambrini
— Gary Bennett (@GARYBENNETT79) April 8, 2017