Ruthless Chelsea took advantage of Manchester City’s latest slip to extend their lead to seven points at the top of the Premier League.
Eden Hazard’s opener and a second-half rocket from Branislav Ivanovic gave the Blues all three points with a 2-1 win over struggling Aston Villa.
Ivanovic has remarkably now netted five times in his last seven appearances against the Villains and has put Jose Mourinho’s side truly in the driving seat in the title race.
New signing Juan Cuadrado was handed a debut by Mourinho 10 minutes from time as the Blues ended their Villa Park hoodoo.
James Milner struck late on for Manuel Pellegrini’s second-placed City but it was only good enough for a share of the spoils against Hull at the Eithad.
