EPL 2016-17: Chelsea 5-0 Everton - 5 talking points

Chelsea have kept five consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League

As travelling fans started leaving as early as the one-hour mark, Chelsea fans were more than delighted to bid them goodbye on their long and disappointing journey home...

If anyone was in doubt of Chelsea’s transformation under new manager Antonio Conte, today’s 5-0 drubbing of Everton was surely decisive. Irrespective of what happens after the forthcoming international break, the Blues have not looked back since their defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates. Conte has made his system work and the entire team is reaping the benefits. 

While Conte’s preferred choice of the 3-4-3 formation is definitely unusual for the Premier League, he has made it work remarkably while allowing the likes of Hazard the freedom to play the way they want to. The Toffees didn’t start too shabbily as they seemed to press the Chelsea defenders in the opening few minutes of the game.

However, they lost their hold on the proceedings as soon as Hazard scored in the 19^th minute which was quickly followed by Marcos Alonso’s first goal in a blue shirt. Thanks to Costa, they were up by three goals at the end of the first half.

Everton could do nothing to unnerve their opposition and Conte’s men increased their lead by two more goals by the end of the 90 minutes.Here are the major talking points from the game:

# 1 The reincarnation of Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard was too hot to handle for the Toffees

No one seems to be flourishing more under Conte than Eden Hazard. After the disappointing performance from last season, the Belgian looks like he has been rejuvenated. He was sharp, fluid and a delight to watch all night. Roman Abramovich, an ever-present figure in the stands at home must have been overjoyed to see him in such good form as he was involved in every single one of Chelsea’s goals against Everton. 

His movement and passing were superb and there was very little the visitors could do to keep him in check as both his goals were the work of a craftsman. After just four goals last season, Hazard already has seven this year and for the first time in his career has scored in four consecutive games. 

Conte seems to be getting the best out of the Chelsea talisman as he is free from defensive duties with Marcos Alonso playing right behind him.