Eden Hazard scored all three of Chelsea's goals as they defeated Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
The Belgian broke the deadlock in the 27th minute, before adding a further goal before the break. He then completed his trio of strikes from the penalty spot after the restart.
Below, Sports Mole looks back over the contest to determine if the outcome flatters the home team, or whether they were deserving victors.
Match statistics
Chelsea
Shots: 18
On target: 8
Possession: 59%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 7
Newcastle
Shots: 12
On target: 6
Possession: 41%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 10
Was the result fair?
Very rarely is a 3-0 scoreline harsh on the losing side and this encounter doesn't buck that trend. They competed well for 60 minutes or so, but never really gave the impression that they could cause big problems to the home side. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Hazard in particular were clinical, which makes them deserving victors.
Chelsea's performance
The West Londoners are by no means a one-man team, but they did rely heavily on Hazard today. Having said that, when he's in this type of form, why wouldn't you? The way he links with his fellow attacking midfielders Oscar and Willian, as well as Samuel Eto'o up front to a degree, just goes to show why Jose Mourinho was willing to let Juan Mata head for Manchester United. Perhaps one negative for Mourinho was the number of chances that his team allowed Newcastle to create during the first half - a more potent side may very well have scored. It only highlighted how vital the presence of John Terry, who was absent through injury, is to the Chelsea defence.
Newcastle's performance
There is no real need for Alan Pardew to be too hard on his players because simply put they were beaten by the team that were able to call upon someone of Hazard's ability. What will have disappointed the Newcastle boss is the fact that they didn't make the most of the handful openings that they carved out, particularly during the first half. It goes to stress how important the suspended Loic Remy has been to them this season. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but the French striker may have buried one of those chances and it would have been a different game then.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Eden Hazard: It was never going to be anyone else, was it? Every time that he gets the ball right now, it seems that something happens. There was a real variance in each of goals, with the first showing his clinical touch. The second was all about speed and power, while the third brought his composure to the fore 12 yards from goal. It was the complete performance from the Belgian, who is arguably the Premier League's most in-form player right now, if not Europe's.
Biggest gaffe
Against the likes of Chelsea, if you get a chance, you've got to take it. With the score 1-0 to the home side, Newcastle's Moussa Sissoko broke the offside trap and was through on goal. His touch was too heavy, though, which allowed Petr Cech enough time to race off his line to block the shot. Less than 60 seconds later, Hazard made it 2-0 to the Blues.
Referee performance
It was a relatively straightforward afternoon's work for Howard Webb, who barely had a bad challenge to deal with. Having said that, it was pleasing to see him penalise Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa for a blatant tug of Eto'o's shirt inside the penalty area. Too many referees have allowed those offences to escape without punishment this season.
What next?
Chelsea: On Tuesday evening Mourinho's men will make the trip to The Hawthorns to take on West Bromwich Albion.
Newcastle: As for the Magpies, they return to home comforts a day later when Tottenham Hotspur visit St James' Park.
Liam Apicella
