Frank Lampard was among the goals on his 500th Premier League start as Chelsea recorded an 8-0 victory over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
© PA Photos
The hosting Blues dominated the encounter from the first whistle and it took them just three minutes to break the deadlock. Fernando Torres was the scorer, heading in a cross out on the right from his fellow Spaniard Cesar Azpilicueta at the near post.
© PA Photos
Chelsea's second of the match eventually arrived with 28 minutes played. Eden Hazard was fouled just outside the Villa area and David Luiz stepped up to swerve the resultant free kick into the net.
Two was soon three as Branislav Ivanovic made it 3-0 five minutes later. Gary Cahill saw his initial shot palmed clear by Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan, but centre-back Ivanovic was on hand to head in the rebound from close range.
Rafael Benitez's side refused to let up in the second half and they thought they had added another in the 58th minute when Torres headed into the net from inside the six yard box, only for the linesman to raise his flag for offside.
© PA Photos
However, just one minuter late the home team did have their fourth goal. Lampard collected possession 30 yards from goal and sent a low effort skidding beyond the reach of Guzan and into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
© PA Photos
Lampard was soon replaced by Ramires, who added Chelsea's fifth 16 minutes from time. The Brazilian was put through by another substitute, Lucas Piazon, and the midfielder rolled the ball underneath an advancing Guzan.
© PA Photos
Still Chelsea continued to attack and four minutes later Oscar got his name on the scoresheet. Chris Herd was adjudged to have tripped up the Brazilian attacker inside the area and Oscar dusted himself down to convert the resultant penalty for what was his first goal in the Premier League.
© PA Photos
There was still time for more goals as Hazard sent a shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle following a flowing move.
In the closing stages the home team had a good chance to add an eighth, but Piazon saw his penalty saved by Guzan after he had been brought down by Ciaran Clark inside the area.
They did claim their eighth in stoppage time though as Ramires notched his second with a scuffed effort that looped over Guzan and into the net from 12 yards out.
The victory has seen Chelsea close the gap on leaders Manchester United to 11 points.
Liam Apicella
