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Chelsea 3-0 Bournemouth: Pedro at the double as Blues cope without Costa
CHELSEA coasted to an easy 3-0 win over Bournemouth to strengthen their title credentials.
Pedro scored two for Chelsea against Bournemouth
A double from Pedro and an Eden Hazard strike ensured Antonio Conte's men extended their lead over Liverpool at the top of the table to nine points.
More significantly, Chelsea have now won their last 12 league games on the trot.
Chelsea started brightly, despite being without Diego Costa, who was suspended for the game.
After being put through in on goal, Pedro provided the opener after 24 minutes with a deft finish over Artur Boruc.
Eden Hazard converted from the penalty spot
Antonio Conte celebrates Chelsea's win with Pedro
Cesc Fabregas came close to adding the host's second of the game, but his free-kick landed on the roof of the net.
The Blues continued where they left off from the first-half and scored a decisive second, four minutes after the restart.
After waltzing his way into the box, Simon Francis felled Eden Hazard.
Eden Hazard - 5 things you need to know
The Belgian stepped up and fired his spot-kick low into the bottom right corner.
Pedro got his second and Chelsea's third of the game in stoppage time via a deflection.
Liverpool face Stoke City tomorrow (5:15pm), while Manchester City could go back above the Reds with victory away to Hull this evening (5:15pm).
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