Nigerian pair Alex Iwobi and Victor Moses were missing for Arsenal and Chelsea respectively as the Premier League returned on Saturday.
While Moses hasn’t been seen around the Blues first-team since Matchday two, the Gunners forward missed the West Ham victory due to illness.
In the absence of the 27-year-old, Chelsea nudged ahead of Liverpool at the top of the table as Eden Hazard’s hat-trick helped secure a come-from-behind 4-1 win over Cardiff.
The Belgium star needed just six first-half minutes to erase an early deficit and later returned to seal his treble from the spot as the hosts continued their perfect start to the new season.
Cardiff did fleetingly threaten an almighty upset thanks to Sol Bamba’s shock 16th-minute opener before Maurizio Sarri’s men took command on the way to a convincing fifth straight victory.
The in-form Hazard instigated a hasty turnaround that became a comfortable three points when Willian curled home seven minutes from the end, ensuring the Blues inched into the top spot on goal difference.
Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil, meanwhile, struck second-half goals against Newcastle United as Arsenal left St James’ Park with a 2-1 win.
Unai Emery’s Gunners were unimpressive in the first half, but turned in a much-improved display after the break as Xhaka and Ozil ensured another win for the north London club despite Ciaran Clark’s injury-time goal for the Magpies.
