Chelsea brushed aside Aston Villa 3-0 at Stamford Bridge this afternoon to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
An early goal from Oscar set the Blues on their way, although Villa stood firm until Diego Costa added a second just short of the hour.
Willian rounded off the scoring a little over 10 minutes from time to see Jose Mourinho's men retain their advantage at the top of the Premier League table.
Here, Sports Mole looks back at the 90 minutes of action from West London.
Match statistics
Chelsea
Shots: 14
On target: 8
Possession: 63%
Corners: 9
Fouls: 11
Aston Villa
Shots: 5
On target: 1
Possession: 37%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 9
Was the result fair?
Absolutely. After taking an early lead through Oscar, Chelsea showed some real patience before finally putting the game beyond their opponents in the second half. The Blues took command of the game pretty much throughout, and you have to say that Mourinho's men were well worth their three goals.
Villa were beginning to show signs that they were growing into the game at the start of the second half, but Costa's strike lifted any tension that was beginning to circulate around Stamford Bridge. Chelsea oozed quality across the field, staying strong after adding a third goal through Willian and seeing out the game in a professional manner.
Chelsea's performance
It must be said that Mourinho has got his system spot on, and the additions of Cesc Fabregas and Costa in particular have taken Chelsea up another level so far this campaign. Oscar returned to the fold following his goal against Bolton Wanderers in midweek, and it was he who got the Blues up and running from his central position. The addition of the Brazilian meant that Willian was moved to the right, but he, very much like all his teammates, produced a fine display.
Fabregas continues to dictate play from his deep position alongside Nemanja Matic, although both the holding players get forward often enough to cause danger. As mentioned, it was a case of the hosts staying patient when being held off by a resilient Villa at 1-0 up, but thanks in no small part to the movement of Costa, Chelsea ensured that their would not be a surprise on the cards.
Aston Villa's performance
Villa came into this game in third place, although Chelsea simply did not allow them to play their usual flowing game that we have seen on a few occasions so far this term. It is now two 3-0 defeats in a row for the Villans, but manager Paul Lambert will not be too concerned in the knowledge that his side will come up against far lesser sides between now and the end of the season, which will allow them to improve on last term's disappointing finish in the league.
In fairness, Villa made life difficult for their opponents, particularly in the first half when at times seven men in a claret and blue shirt were chasing down Chelsea men around the penalty area. Had the visitors nicked a goal when on top for the five minutes before and after the interval, the gameplan would have worked perfectly. But it did not, and instead Lambert must now go back to the drawing board, looking to improve on the one shot on target that his side had this afternoon ahead of the visit of Manchester City.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Willian: A few contenders for this accolade in truth, but Willian produced a fantastic display at Stamford Bridge, registering a goal and an assist. All that from his starting position out wide, too, with Oscar occupying the more central role.
Biggest gaffe
If you're going to take on Chelsea with a strict gameplan of sitting deep, then you simply must take advantage of your opportunities when they arise. Villa squandered numerous set-piece opportunities this afternoon, many of which failed to beat the first man.
Referee performance
In fairness Phil Dowd had very little to do, although he allowed to game to flow when he could which allowed for a better spectacle.
What next?
Chelsea: Next up in the league for the current leaders is a meeting with Arsenal, although they must first travel to face Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League in midweek.
Aston Villa: The Villans continue their difficult looking run next weekend when they host champions Man City.
Daniel Lewis
