Chelsea stretched their lead at the summit of the Premier League to 11 points after victory over battling Swansea City at Stamford Bridge.
Cesc Fabregas marked his 300th Premier League appearance by firing the Blues ahead, poking the ball through the legs of Jack Cork and into the net.
The hosts were stunned when Swansea equalised from their first serious attempt on target on the stroke of half-time — Fernando Llorente heading in Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free-kick.
Fabregas hit the bar before Pedro’s curling effort restored the lead and Diego Costa netted the third from close range.
Swansea were denied a penalty kick when Cesar Azpilicueta handled inside the area at 1-1, but referee Neil Swarbrick felt otherwise.
The match was far from straightforward for Antonio Conte’s side and the story could have been different had Swarbrick awarded Swansea the penalty kick shortly before Pedro made it 2-1.
However, in the end Chelsea’s sweeping forward play earned them a 10th straight home Premier League win as they took another significant step towards a second title in three seasons.
On a weekend when the first major silverware of the season — the EFL Cup — is handed out at Wembley, the Blues look unstoppable.
They have 63 points from 26 games —- three more than at the same stage in 2014/2015 when last crowned champions of England.
Fabregas could have ended the game with four goals on his return to the side.
The Spain midfielder had a goal-bound shot deflected behind shortly before he opened the scoring, was denied by former Arsenal team-mate Lukasz Fabianski and also rattled the bar.
With former Blues midfielder Frank Lampard watching on, Chelsea turned on the style.
While it required an error from Fabianski to restore the lead, Eden Hazard’s exquisite timing and pass for Costa to make it 3-1 was a delight.
