AFC Bournemouth 1-4 Chelsea

Eden Hazard marked his return to the Chelsea side with a bang as he netted his first Premier League goals of the season in a comfortable victory over Bournemouth.

The Belgian had gone almost a year without finding the net in the competition but finally ended his drought with a brace in a 4-1 triumph that saw the Blues get back to winning ways.

Thibaut Courtois served the game first of his two-match ban after being sent off in last week’s heavy defeat to Manchester City as Asmir Begovic started in goal.

Gary Cahill was a surprise absentee as he pulled out of the squad through illness as John Obi Mikel was drafted in at centre-back while Matt Miazga was left on the bench.

Begovic looked very shaky in the opening couple of minutes but he was a relieved man as Chelsea scored with their first attack of the afternoon.

And it was the club’s former Barcelona connection who broke the deadlock as Cesc Fabregas played in Pedro and the winger dinked home the opening goal on five minutes.

The travelling fans were in fine voice but the Cherries continued to show enthusiasm and Josh King and Steve Cook both missed decent opportunities from corners.

Opener: Pedro of Chelsea scores past Artur Boruc of Bournemouth
Good times: Chelsea celebrate against Bournemouth

But again Chelsea showed their ruthless streak and this time it was the returning Hazard who finally made his mark this term.

Having gone 29 top-flight matches without notching, the Belgian steered home an excellent effort to really put the visitors in the driving seat.

It was a two-goal cushion that lasted just a matter of seconds though as Cherries skipper Tommy Elphick pulled one back to give his side hope going into the second half.

They maintained some of that momentum after the restart but Begovic didn’t have much to worry about until Junior Stanislas grazed the post after the hour mark.

Ten minutes later and it was game over though as Willian, played in superbly by Fabregas, calmly beat Artur Boruc to put the result beyond doubt.

There was still time for one more though as, just like London buses, Hazard grabbed his second on the stroke of full time to make it a memorable afternoon for the Chelsea star.

Chelsea: Begovic, Ivanovic, Rahman, Azpilicueta, Mikel, Fabregas, Hazard, Pedro, Matic, Willian (Loftus-Cheek, 82), Costa.

Subs (not used): Amelia, Falcao, Pato, Traore, Kenedy, Miazga.