#1 Chelsea get the job done, maintain title push
Trending
The Blues’ slight stumble against fellow Londoners, Crystal Palace, last week, seemed to give a glimmer of hope to Mauricio Pochettino’s men.
Saturday’s first game was an afternoon showdown between Tottenham Hotspur and Watford at White Hart Lane, by the end of which the Lilywhites had sent the hapless Hornets to the cleaners.
Also Read: I don't smell the title - Conte wants Chelsea focus
This put the onus on Chelsea to clinch all three points away at Bournemouth and they did not have the brightest of starts as the Cherries started on the front foot while also managing to contain Conte’s men.
Adam Smith stepped to turn in an off-target Diego Costa shot into his own net but Chelsea dug deep and relied on their quality and experience to see off an exuberant and valiant, but vulnerable Cherries side.
Hazard gave the Blues a slender lead before Alonso’s peach of a free kick put the game out of reach. Kante, Cesar Azpilicueta and Courtois all played a role in the win, stepping up defensively when required the most. In fact, Kante not only won the ball back but also assisted his first ever league goal for Chelsea by setting up Hazard.
It also ensured that Spurs were kept at bay, seven points still separating the two London rivals at the top two spots of the league table having played the same number of games.
