Rafa’s breathtaking blueprint

Chelsea 8 Aston Villa 0

It was eight — the goals shared between seven scorers — but it could easily have been double figures and with his side now back up to third, 11 points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand, his contention that Chelsea remain legitimate title challengers looks far less fanciful than it did a short while ago.

First-half goals from Fernando Torres, David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic put Chelsea in control with Frank Lampard, Ramires (two), Oscar and Eden Hazard also on target while Lucas Piazon missed a penalty.