TheCable

Nigerian forward Victor Moses was instrumental as Chelsea trounced Southampton to extend their lead on the English Premier League table.

Both sides came into the game firing on all cylinders but Chelsea struck blood first.

Eden Hazard fired a shot past Fraser Forster from 15 yards to give the Blues the lead in the 5th minute.

Former Chelsea player, Oriel Romeu, cancelled out the Belgian’s goal by bundling home from close range to make it 1-1 in the 23rd minute.

Both teams were evenly matched in the first half but with 45 minutes winding down, Gary Cahill popped up with a crucial header to restore calm at Stamford Bridge.

Whatever Antonio Conte said to his players in the dressing room proved effective as the team emerged from the half-time break more determined and decisive.

After Cesc Fabregas and Hazard worked a smart corner-kick routine, the former fed Diego Costa who showed strength and technique to hold off his marker and direct a perfect header past Forster for his 50th Premier League goal.

The Brazilian started and ended the move that led to the fourth and his second goal.

He shared a quick exchange with both Pedro and Hazard before applying the perfect finish from 10 yards in the 89th minute.

Another old Chelsea boy Ryan Bertrand pulled one back for Southampton in the second half of injury time.

Conte’s men have now opened a seven-point advantage at the summit, well ahead of Tottenham who have a game at hand.