Chelsea moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday with an emphatic 4-0 win at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 56th minute when Samuel Eto'o took advantage of an error from Jan Vertonghen before finding the net.
They doubled their lead on the hour mark as Eden Hazard scored from the penalty spot after Younes Kaboul had been sent off for a foul on Eto'o.
Chelsea then secured the victory with two goals in quick succession late on, both of which went to substitute Demba Ba.
Match statistics
Chelsea
Shots: 12
On target: 4
Possession: 54%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 11
Spurs
Shots: 6
On target: 2
Possession: 46%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 18
Was the result fair?
The match was competitive up until Chelsea went ahead, but after that it looked like there was only going to be one winner. The scoreline may have flattered the hosts in the end, but there can be no denying that the right team came away with the points.
Chelsea's performance
The Blues were well off the pace during the first half as they struggled to cause Spurs any real problems in front of goal. The home side looked sluggish while a creeping sense of frustration in the stands at Stamford Bridge all added to an uncomfortable 45 minutes. That all changed after the break, though, as Chelsea were far more positive in everything that they did. Once they went ahead, their belief grew and by the end of the match they were rampant going forward.
Spurs' performance
Manager Tim Sherwood would have been happy with his players after their first-half showing as they controlled the tempo of the match and made Chelsea look average. They defended high up the pitch and rarely allowed the hosts to venture forward. The second half was a different story. This was Spurs at their shambolic worst. A lack of organisation, no ambition up front, error after shocking error - it all added up to a jaw-droppingly poor 45 minutes of football from the men in white. Their Champions League hopes could well be in tatters after this and they only have themselves to blame.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Eden Hazard: It took a while for the Chelsea winger to get into the game, but once he did he was a thorn in the side of the Spurs defence due to his running and trickery.
Biggest gaffe
Where does one start? Spurs were guilty of three calamitous errors, but Jan Vertonghen's botched back-pass which put in Samuel Eto'o for Chelsea's first goal was an absolute shocker. May the Belgian hang his head in shame.
Referee performance
Michael Oliver gave a solid enough 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge, although his decision to give Chelsea a penalty will be questioned. Samuel Eto'o made a meal of his collision with Younes Kaboul, who was then harshly sent off. Other referees might have been more lenient.
What next?
Chelsea: The Blues return to Premier League action next Saturday when they face Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Spurs: Tottenham will be able to take their eyes off the Premier League on Thursday as Benfica visit White Hart Lane for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
Jack Prescott
