Alonso supplies art as Chelsea respond to Spurs

London - Marcos Alonso netted a picture-perfect free-kick as Chelsea triumphed 3-1 at Bournemouth on Saturday to restore their seven-point advantage at the top of the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur had cut Chelsea's lead to four points by crushing Watford 4-0, but Antonio Conte's men responded to take another step towards the title.

Liverpool remain third after Brazilian substitutes Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino inspired a 2-1 comeback win at Stoke City, while fourth-place Manchester City beat Hull City 3-1.

Chelsea went 2-0 up inside the first 20 minutes at Bournemouth, Diego Costa's mishit shot ballooning in off Adam Smith for an own goal before Eden Hazard added a second.

Freed by N'Golo Kante's pass, the Belgian sprinted in on goal, rounded goalkeeper Artur Boruc and slipped in his 14th goal of the campaign.

Benik Afobe volleyed against the post for Bournemouth before Josh King reduced the arrears in the 42nd minute with an effort that fizzed past Thibaut Courtois via a deflection off David Luiz.

But Alonso settled the visitors' nerves with 22 minutes to go, the Spanish wing-back arcing a sumptuous free-kick over the wall and into the top-right corner, leaving Boruc rooted to the spot.