Diego Costa scored the first hat-trick of the 2014/15 Premier League season, as Chelsea came back from a goal down to complete four wins from four games at home to Swansea on Saturday.
Captained John Terry diverted the ball into his own net on 11 minutes while trying to turn Neil Taylor’s low cross for a corner.
The Spanish striker leveled for the Stamford Bridge outfit just before the break after several minutes of sustained pressure from the hosts.
The 25-year-old, winner of the Barclays best player’s award for the month of August, bustled his was through the Welsh club’s defence to power home a header from a corner.
The ex-Atletico Madrid striker made the best of his opportunities to increase his tally to seven in just five games.
Costa completed his brace four minutes to the hour mark from a Cesc Fabregas cut-back assist, having positioned himself right in the middle of the box; to deliver a clinical finish. Much of the goal centred on the understanding between Fabregas and Eden Hazard; the midfield duo who inspired a fine one-two play to move the ball down the Chelsea left line.
He then smashed into the visitors’ net from six yards, capitalising on Ramires’ lukewarm shot turned through pass.
Loic Remy completed scoring with a debut goal within minutes of coming on for the hat-trick hero.
A late loss of concentration from Chelsea saw Garry Monk’s men grab a consolation via Jonjo Shelvey’s moment of brilliance. Shelvey’s low right-footed finish from the edge of the box pierced though the centre of the defence past Thibaut Courtois.
The ‘Blues’ yet ended the happier side, having built a five point lead at the top of the standings following Manchester City’s draw away to Arsenal earlier in the day. It is 12 points from 12 for the leaders in the early days of the campaign.
EPL Results Update
Crystal Palace 0-0 Burnley
Southampton 4-0 Newcastle
West Brom 0-2 Everton
Sunderland 2-2 Tottenham
Stoke 0-1 Leicester
