Chelsea analysis: Eden Hazard channels anger into goals as champions state case to challenge Manchester City

Tony Pulis' position at West Brom looks increasingly under threat after Chelsea inflicted the joint-heaviest defeat of his near three-year reign at The Hawthorns.

A brace from Eden Hazard and efforts from Alvaro Morata and Marcos Alonso saw the Blues coast to a 4-0 success, their fourth successive triumph in the Premier League, at the venue where they clinched the title six months ago.

Simon Johnson analyses the key monents from The Hawthorns...

David Luiz can have no complaints

Forget whether Luiz has had a bust-up with Antonio Conte; he doesn't deserve to be picked ahead of Andreas Christensen at present anyway.

The Brazil international was recalled to the squad by Conte having been left out against Manchester United last time out, but only made it to the bench.

It was pretty obvious what he thought of the decision during the pre-match warm-up as he went though the drills in lax fashion with his hands in his pockets.

Standard Sport revealed that the 30-year-old's relationship with the Chelsea coach has been under strain since September and tensions don't look like they're going to ease any time soon.

However, with Chelsea playing as well as this and Christensen impressing in the middle of the back three, Luiz may have to wait before becoming a regular starter again.

Make Hazard angry at your peril

Hazard didn't begin the game too badly, but he became a different proposition altogether after a heavy kick on him went unpunished.

His disgust was plain to see, especially toward referee Jonathan Moss as he hobbled around for 90 seconds.

After the attacking midfielder's complaints were given short shrift, he decided to take the supposed injustice out on West Brom.

Within a few minutes Hazard had set up Chelsea's first as his fierce shot was palmed straight to Alvaro Morata to score from the rebound.

Then Hazard doubled Chelsea's advantage, neatly rounding Ben Foster to put into an empty net. Noticeably he celebrated in front of the home fans that had been booing him.

West Brom couldn't contain him throughout and it was no surprise he added Chelsea's fourth after the break.

The 26-year-old continues to be a lucky omen for Conte. Chelsea have won all 16 League games under the Italian that Hazard has scored in.

Fixture looks certain to see departure of another manager

'You're getting sacked in the morning' has become a theme of this game in recent years, but on this occasion it looks like it will be the West Brom coach getting a P45.

This venue turned out to be the final League games in charge for former Chelsea managers Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto di Matteo as they were sacked soon afterwards.

Of course Chelsea have had happier visits since then, most notably clinching the League here back in May.

On that occasion they had to fight and scrape a late victory, but it was far too easy this afternoon and surely West Brom's Tony Pulis will pay for it.

The West Brom fans certainly hope so. Chants of 'Pulis out' and 'loser' were also heard from the home section and a number walked out long before the final whistle.

Fabregas looks so happy in a midfield three

The return of N'Golo Kante from a hamstring injury has had many positive effects on Chelsea's performance in two games now and Fabregas has arguably benefitted the most.

Instead of being asked to do all the ugly work of tracking back and helping out the defence, the Spain star is allowed to concentrate on being a creative force.

Fabregas looks so much happier on the pitch as he collects the ball from team-mates and looks to play an incisive pass.

He ended up providing assists for two of Chelsea's goals and was involved in the move for one of the others.

Conte brought him off first, clearly in order to give him a rest. The warm embrace between the two showed what the Chelsea manager thought of what he'd seen.

Chelsea can provide London's biggest challenge to Man City

Four straight League wins has made Chelsea the leading side in the capital once again.

Despite all the praise aimed in Tottenham's direction this term, their defeat at Arsenal allowed the Blues to leapfrog them into second place in the table (before Manchester United's match against Newcastle).

There is the small matter of leaders Manchester City boasting a nine point lead, however they may just aim a nervous glance or two back at Conte's side finding some form.

After all, out of the other contenders, Chelsea are the ones to have lifted the trophy most recently. Indeed, they have won it twice in the last three years.

It will be very difficult for Chelsea to catch City, but they did it last term and the players will feel they can do it again.