Mata has magic to lift Blues

CHELSEA may have yet to hit their full stride but the team that Andre Villas-Boas is assembling is moving inexorably towards the top of the Premier League — and Juan Mata is the key to their success.

Mata was majestic once again as Chelsea made light of the supposed jinx that Everton held over them. David Moyes had lost only one of his previous nine meetings with the Blues from London but his side were brushed aside in what was a one-sided battle of Stamford Bridge.

It was fairly even before Daniel Sturridge put Chelsea ahead in the 31st minute but once John Terry made it 2-0 in first-half stoppage time, there was no way back for an Everton side badly missing the midfield creativity of Mikel Arteta.