Yaqeen Blog

On November 5, 2016, the night sky over West London was filled with fireworks, but the real explosion happened on the pitch at Stamford Bridge. Antonio Conte’s Chelsea didn't just beat Everton; they dismantled them in a 5-0 thrashing that legendary commentator John Motson described as the best Premier League performance he had ever seen.

At the heart of this "ruthless evisceration" was one man: Eden Hazard. In 2016/17, Hazard wasn't just a player; he was a "glitch in the matrix" that no defender could patch. This is the breakdown of the night the "Blue Revolution" went into overdrive.

1. The Vibe: The Birth of the 3-4-3 Masterclass 🎭

Before this game, Chelsea had switched to a 3-4-3 formation following a heavy defeat to Arsenal. By the time Everton arrived, the system was a well-oiled machine.

• The Tactical Trap: Ronald Koeman tried to match Chelsea’s back three, but it backfired spectacularly. Chelsea’s wing-backs, Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses, pushed so high they effectively formed a front five.

• The "Fantasista" Role: Conte liberated Hazard from defensive duties, allowing him to drift centrally. He became a "free radical" that Everton’s Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams simply couldn't track.

2. The Surge: 23 Seconds of Pure Chaos ⚡

The game was decided in a blistering two-minute window that left the Toffees shell-shocked.

• 19' | The Opener: Hazard picked up the ball on the left, cut inside, and curled a low shot into the far corner. It was his fourth goal in four games—a career-first streak for the Belgian.

• 20' | The Double Salvo: Just 23 seconds after the restart, Hazard won possession again. A slick move involving Pedro found Marcos Alonso, who drilled it through the keeper’s legs. 2-0. Game over before the fans had finished cheering the first.

• 42' | The Powerhouse: Diego Costa added a third before half-time, reacting quickest to a flicked-on corner. Chelsea went into the break with 3 goals and zero shots conceded.

📊 Match Impact Matrix: Chelsea 5-0 Everton

3. The Masterpiece: The "One-Touch" 4th Goal 🎨

If the first half was about dominance, the second was about art.

• 56' | The Peak: Hazard produced the goal of the night. He exchanged a lightning-fast backheel flick with Pedro, burst into the box, and fired inside the near post. It was "PlayStation football" in real life.

• 65' | The Final Blow: Pedro tapped in the fifth after a shot from Hazard was parried. The "Unstoppable" Hazard had a hand in all five goals, finishing with a 94% pass completion rate.

Real Talk: Why This Matters for the "Legacy"

For Gen Z fans, this game is the ultimate proof of why Peak Hazard is in the conversation for the greatest PL players ever. He didn't just score; he controlled the rhythm of the game. Chelsea finished the night top of the league and never looked back, eventually lifting the title.

The Takeaway:

1. System Matters: Conte’s 3-4-3 was the "software update" that saved Chelsea’s season.

2. Peak Performance: This was the night Hazard reached his "Final Form."

3. Mentality: Chelsea’s 16 goals scored and 0 conceded in five games showed a "championship-tier" focus.

🔗 Reliable & Reputable Sources

Premier League Official Match Report: https://www.premierleague.com/match/14138

The Guardian - Chelsea top the Premier League as Hazard inspires Everton thrashing: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/05/chelsea-everton-premier-league-match-report

BBC Sport - Chelsea 5-0 Everton Match Analysis: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37805118

Chelsea FC Official - Hazard's Greatest Games: https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/eden-hazard-s-chelsea-statistics--honours-and-goals

"It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Chelsea are the real deal."

Do you think any modern Premier League duo can match the chemistry of Peak Hazard and Diego Costa?