Brilliant Blues make light of Eden absence

NO Hazard, no problem.

Chelsea made light of Eden Hazard’s absence to demolish Burnley at Turf Moor and underline their title credentials.

The attacking brilliance of Alvaro Morata, Ross Barkley and Willian ensured star man Hazard was not missed as the injured Belgian sat out a league game for the first time since December 30.

Chelsea would not have been flattered by an even more emphatic scoreline as Willian hit the woodwork and Joe Hart denied them several times.

Barkley dazzled and the playmaker is finally delivering on the huge potential he first showed when he made his debut for Everton in the Premier League aged 17.

He can play a killer pass, as he did for Morata’s opener, while his drilled finish for the second goal from 25 yards was perfectly executed.

Mauricio Sarri was delighted the Blues won so convincingly for the second time in four days without talisman Hazard.

“I want Hazard in every match because he gives us something different,” said the Chelsea boss.

“I’m happy because the team was able to score seven in two matches without him but I want him back as soon as possible. Maybe not Wednesday but possibly Saturday.”

Willian and Morata also shone, although they also showed an unattractive side by diving to try to win penalties.

They were both booked and neither needs to indulge in such dark arts when they are blessed with such talent.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche felt their cheating was “a blot” on Chelsea’s win.

He said: “I don’t know why they do what they do because they’re a great side, but they were falling all over the place.

“I don’t know why Willian is diving in the box, there’s no need to do that.”

Chelsea’s destruction of Burnley means Sarri is the first Blues boss to go unbeaten in his first 10 Premier League games at the start of a campaign. Chelsea went on to