HEAVENS, SEVEN FOR BLUES
CHELSEA opened up a twopoint lead at the top of the England Premier League with a 7-0 demolition of Norwich, while Phil Foden starred as Manchester City moved up to second after a 4-1 win at Brighton on Saturday.
Mason Mount scored a hat-trick for the Blues at Stamford Bridge as the European champions coped easily without strikers Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner.
Mount started the rout after eight minutes and finished it with two more late after Ben Gibson had been sent-off for the visitors.
Callum Hudson-odoi, Reece James and Ben Chilwell were also on target for Thomas Tuchel’s men, while Max Aarons’ own goal summed up a sorry day for the Canaries.
Mount had not scored since May and Tuchel welcomed his return to scoring form with Lukaku and Werner expected to be out for some time.
“No matter how satisfied the coach is, the offensive guys need goals to be fully happy,” Tuchel said.
Norwich already look destined for a swift return to the Championship.
At the Amex Stadium, Manchester City underlined its determination to hold on to the title with a commanding performance.
City took the lead after 12 minutes when Brighton goalkeeper Robert
Sanchez spilled the ball under pressure and Ilkay Gundogan applied the finish.
Bernardo Silva launched the raid that produced City’s second goal as he fed Jack Grealish for a low cross that Foden converted.
Three minutes later, Grealish’s shot was blocked into the path of Jesus, whose effort deflected off Foden and past Sanchez.
Alex Macallister got one back for Brighton with a penalty after Ederson fouled Enock Mwepu.
But Riyad Mahrez converted Foden’s pass to wrap up an emphatic win.