LONDON: A firm header from Marcos Alonso, a superb individual effort from Eden Hazard and a lob from Cesc Fabregas earned Premier League leaders Chelsea an emphatic 3-1 victory over Arsenal on Saturday.
It was Chelsea's 11th home victory in succession and their 16th win in 18 league games. Chelsea moved 12 points clear of their London rivals and the chasing pack with a dominant performance at Stamford Bridge.
Alonso outmuscled Hector Bellerin to head home in the 13th minute and early in second half Hazard picked up the ball just past the halfway line and shrugged off Francis Coquelin before rounding Laurent Koscielny and dodging Shkodran Mustafi to score.
Chelsea outplayed Arsenal, watched by their suspended manager Arsene Wenger from the stands, and goalkeeper Petr Cech gifted Fabregas the third goal when he failed to clear and the Spaniard lifted the ball into an empty net.
Arsenal substitute Olivier Giroud headed a consolation goal in stoppage time.
The loss leaves Arsenal tied for second place with 47 points but they could be overtaken later on Saturday by Tottenham Hotspur, who are at home to Middlesborough. Liverpool, who are visiting Hull, and Manchester City, who host Swansea on Sunday, could also move past Wenger's side with victories.