CHELSEA took another step toward the Premier League title Saturday, beating Bournemouth 3-1 to restore its seven-point lead.

    Tottenham, Chelsea’s only remaining title rival, applied pressure by defeating Watford 4-0 hours earlier.

    But Chelsea got going early through a fortuitous own goal and Eden Hazard’s calm finish.

    Josh King pulled one back for Bournemouth, only for Marcos Alonso’s stunning free kick to seal victory for Chelsea.

    The effectiveness of Antonio Conte’s wing backs in his preferred 3-4-3 formation was apparent once more as the returning Victor Moses played a crucial role in the opener before Alonso produced a moment of individual brilliance.

    Moses, who has been absent for Chelsea’s last two games, took just 17 minutes to show his importance again as he surged down the right and centered for Diego Costa, whose miskicked effort deflected in off the unfortunate Adam Smith.

    Three minutes later, Hazard, released by N’Golo Kante’s throughball, calmly rounded Artur Boruc and finished from a tight angle to double the lead.

    (SD-Agencies)