Chelsea vs. Everton: Score and Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match

Chelsea went top of the Premier League after beating Everton 5-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Eden Hazard, Marcos Alonso and Diego Costa all scored in the first half to dismantle an Everton side that had set out to be defensive.

Hazard got his second to cap a brilliant team move early in the second half, while Pedro added a fifth as Chelsea turned on the style to produce some thrilling, exhibition football. 

Chelsea's win in the evening kick-off gave them top spot after previous leaders Manchester City had earlier slipped to a 1-1 draw at home to Middlesbrough. The Blues are now one point ahead of City but will pay close attention to Arsenal and Liverpool's fixtures on Sunday, with both sides sitting just two points behind.

Everton had tried to be pragmatic and stingy, but Chelsea tore through the visitors with direct passing, perceptive movement and terrific pace. This was a splendid performance that cemented the home side's credentials as legitimate title contenders this season.

Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard revealed both starting lineups at the Bridge:

Everton's team selection prompted the Liverpool Echo's Phil Kirkbride to wonder if Toffees boss Ronald Koeman was preparing to counter Chelsea manager Antonio Conte's three-at-the-back approach:

The Toffees did indeed set up with three central defenders. They tried to match Chelsea's width and deny room around the edge of the box.

Still, the Blues came close to a breakthrough and were unfortunate not to be awarded a free-kick just outside the box when Seamus Coleman crashed studs-first into Costa.

Everton were too content to keep numbers behind the ball and invite the man in possession into congested spaces. They kept wing-backs like Coleman deep and presented the hosts with more of a flat back five than three.

It was a pragmatic approach, one hardly likely to create exciting fare, per Squawka:

Koeman's cautious approach came undone after a two-goal salvo in less than a minute. Chelsea needed individual brilliance to break down Everton's shape, and Hazard duly provided it. The Belgian cut in from the left flank and fired a low shot into the bottom far corner.

Then Alonso latched onto a loose ball in the box before firing underneath hapless Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. BBC Sport's Phil McNulty was less than impressed with the Netherlands stopper:

Hazard struggled under the watch of former managers Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink last season. But as BBC Match of the Day noted, he's loving life under Conte:

Pedro was awarded an assist for the second after his low cross had eluded Costa before arriving at Alonso's feet. It means the Spanish winger is now becoming an increasingly effective supplier of goals, according to WhoScored.com:

Chelsea didn't let up after building a healthy lead. Instead, they countered at lightning speed, pouring forward in numbers and always having a man over.

Victor Moses smashed a shot off the post, before Chelsea's third duly came from a familiar source. Costa pounced after Nemanja Matic flicked on from a corner to end the game as a contest before the break.

Costa's goal showed how far the Blues have come as both an attacking and defensive force since losing 3-0 to London rivals Arsenal in late September, per Sky Sports Statto:

The start of the second half offered little respite for the visitors, as Costa twice went close in the opening minutes. Costa couldn't find his second, but Hazard soon did when he combined wonderfully with Pedro.

The Spaniard's impish backheel released the Belgian, and then he wrong-footed Stekelenburg with a smart low shot. Pedro then got his well-deserved goal just after the hour mark.

His finish made Chelsea the most prolific attack in the league, according to OptaJoe:

Costa went close again inside the final 10 minutes, but Chelsea were soon content to steadily see things out.

Post-Match Reaction

Koeman took to social media to express his sympathy for Everton's fans after this humiliating defeat:

The Dutchman also admitted Chelsea had set standards his own team couldn't match, per ESPN's Miguel Delaney:

In particular, Koeman reserved special praise for the way Chelsea play the 3-4-3:

As for Conte, he was pleased by the quality of his side's game, something he insists is important to him:

But despite making their move in the title race, Conte stated the Blues are focused on their own game, rather than those of the title contenders around them:

He may be playing down the significance, but Conte's men have laid down a strong marker in the title race.