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| Double: Schurrle adds his second, again with his weaker left foot |
(The Mirrior)-Andre Schurrle scored a hat-trick as Chelsea sailed further into the lead at the top of the Premier League table with an easy win over their west London neighbours Fulham.
Kostas Mitroglou again missed out for the Cottagers, with Darren Bent getting the nod up front. Jose Mourinho recalled Oscar in midfield, while Fernando Torres was rewarded for his goal against Galatasaray with another start in attack.
The hosts started well, Clint Dempsey nodding wide when well placed after just a couple of minutes. Maarten Stekelenburg was then almost embarrassed after attempting to dribble his way out of danger, but Fernando Torres was unable to capitalise.
The home side were then forced into an early change, Brede Hangeland limping off to be replaced by youngster Dan Burn, but looked fairly comfortable in a first half low on excitement.
Pajtim Kasami, Steve Sidwell and Fernando Torres all had efforts as the interval approached, but the sides went into the changing rooms on level terms.
Chelsea came out with renewed vigour in the second period, and took the lead on 55 minutes through Schurrle. The wideman latched onto an Eden Hazard pass, outpaced the Fulham backline and fired low under Stekelenburg.
Schurrle grabbed a second soon after, tucking home his fifth goal of the season following more good work from the lively Hazard.
And the German would complete his hat-trick just minutes later, dispatching a first-time finish after running onto a Torres pass. That goal took Schurrle's Premier League tally to six for the season.
Fulham pulled a goal back through Johnny Heitinga, but were helpless to stop Chelsea collecting maximum points.
