Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge left Antonio Conte’s side 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Only the most optimistic of Chelsea’s rivals could imagine overtaking them with 14 games left.
Marcos Alonso scored the opening goal in the 13th minute but Eden Hazard’s classic dribble in the second half illustrated the gap between the teams.
Conte’s Chelsea were disciplined, direct and brimming with killer instinct. The final blow came with Arsenal self-destructing. From their own corner, Petr Cech’s errant kick presented Cesc Fabregas with an easy chip for the third goal.
Arsene Wenger’s men were shapeless, directionless and lacked fight. Oliver Giroud’s late goal provided little consolation.
The goals told the story. Alonso gave the home side the lead with a strike that was all about appetite. Victor Moses crossed from the right and the ball seemed slightly behind Diego Costa. The striker leaned back and produced a header so powerful that it hit the bar before Cech could get a hand to it.
The question was who would get to the ball first as it dropped. Alonso reacted quickest as the Arsenal defence stood transfixed. Hector Bellerin made a half-hearted attempt to clear but Alonso attacked the ball with aggression and hit both ball and man with force.
The header flew into the net and Bellerin was left in a heap on the floor. The Arsenal full-back had to be taken off after suffering concussion but it was no foul.
The ball was available and Bellerin’s rather weak attempt to contest the header left him on the back foot and vulnerable in the collision.
The rest of the Arsenal team looked equally stunned by the goal. Costa was allowed to shoot into the side netting and Wenger’s side looked bewildered.
Even though the visiting side had plenty of possession, they created little.