Diego Costa scored on his return to the Chelsea team as they beat Hull City to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The Spain striker missed last weekend’s 3-0 win over champions Leicester with a back injury after a disagreement with a fitness coach, amid reports of Chinese Super League interest.
But the Blues’ top scorer – cheered throughout the game by home fans – returned against struggling Hull and had an early impact, sending an effort from 20 yards fizzing just wide after only 10 seconds.
He got the opening goal when he converted Victor Moses’ low cross from eight yards out in the seventh minute of first-half injury time.
The long stoppage was a result of a head injury to Hull midfielder Ryan Mason, who went to hospital after being carried off on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask following a clash of heads with Chelsea defender Gary Cahill.
Hull played well but lacked cutting edge without the injured Robert Snodgrass and Cahill sealed the win when he headed home Cesc Fabregas’ free-kick.