Well, that was nervy.
Chelsea are six points clear with a game in hand, with Loic Remy’s late winner giving Jose Mourinho’s side a 3-2 win despite the Blues’ best efforts to throw it all away.
It all looked so easy for the Premier League leaders – now six points clear with a game in hand – after goals from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa put them 2-0 up inside ten minutes.
Chelsea were rampant and both goals were a class apart. Hazard’s blistering shot flew past Allan McGregor on two minutes and shortly afterwards it was 2-0 – Costa collecting from Cesc Fabregas before doubling back and curling a sublime effort into the Tigers’ net.
It looked like the visitors would rack up a cricket score but three minutes before the half hour mark changed everything.
Ahmed Elmohamady tapped home a fine cross from Andy Robertson before a rare moment of calamity from Thibaut Courtois allowed Abel Hernandez to equalise.
Chelsea were reeling but Courtois managed to atone for his mistake with wonderful saves from Elmohamady, Jake Livermore and Gaston Ramirez.
Loic Remy replaced a worn out Costa and it was the Frenchman that stole the win for Chelsea, his shot squirming past McGregor in the 77th minute.
Afterwards, Jose Mourinho – who normally loves a good moan – was full of praise for his players.
“I think five goals is what people like. How many times do people complain when there are no goals?” he asked.
“From our side, it was high quality football. When we conceded the two goals we were affected by that. In the last period of the first half we didn’t play really well.
“We played fluid, fast, quick and dynamic football. At half-time I told my team to go back to that and play football, rather than focusing on mistakes. And we did that.
“I was going to play Remy and Diego together but Diego was injured so we had to go just for Remy. And even as a lone striker he got the goal.”
