Chelsea stormed back to the top of the Premier League as Salomon Kalou's hat-trick inspired a 7-0 win over Stoke on Sunday which sent the Blues one point clear of Manchester United.
Carlo Ancelotti's team had lost first place to United following the champions' win against Tottenham on Saturday, but this imperious display was the perfect response to the challenge from Old Trafford.
Ivory Coast forward Kalou scored twice in the first half at Stamford Bridge, then Frank Lampard added a penalty.
Kalou completed his treble after the break and Lampard netted a sublime strike before Daniel Sturridge and Florent Malouda scored late on to give Chelsea their third seven-goal haul this season.
The Blues' lacklustre defeat at Tottenham last weekend had allowed United back into a title race which neither team has been able to lead for long.
But Chelsea's biggest win of the campaign leaves Ancelotti's men still on course to win the league for the first time since 2006.
The crucial test comes next Sunday at Liverpool - where victory would leave just a home game against Wigan on May 9 standing between Chelsea and the title.
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