Chelsea made it an unhappy return to Stamford Bridge for Jose Mourinho on Sunday as the Blues hammered hapless visitors Manchester United 4-0 in one of the games of the season so far.

It didn't take long for the rout to get underway, 33 seconds to be precise as Pedro snuck in behind United's statuesque back four to round David De Gea and give the home side an early advantage.

It was 2-0 before the break when Gary Cahill lashed home from a poorly defended corner.

Two second half goals from Eden Hazard and then N'Golo Kante completed the scoring and sealed what was a miserable afternoon for both United and of course Mourinho, who certainly didn't get the happy return he would have been so hoping for.

The victory takes Chelsea within one point of leaders Manchester City, yet leaves United struggling down in 7th, five points behind them, and Sunday's game may just prove to be one of the most vital fixtures of the season for both sides come the end of the campaign.

Here are 10 photos we thought summed up the afternoon ....

Defensive Woes

Pedro scores against Man United

The usually dependable pair of Chris Smalling and Daley Blind were nothing short of atrocious all afternoon, and were at fault in one way or another for all four of Chelsea's goals. Woeful.

Take a bow, Eden

Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League

The little Belgian magician was nothing short of perfect. Hazard caused havoc for United all afternoon with his energetic running and classy passing, and totally ripped apart Jose Mourinho's supposed 'bus'.

His goal was the icing on the cake as he literally walked at United's defence before a quick interchange and calm finish. Class act.

A Lovely Place to Be

Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League

While there was no hard feelings seemingly between the Chelsea fans and Jose Mourinho, it can't have been easy for the former Blues boss to stand in front of a capacity crowd and watch his current club take a complete drubbing by his old one.

Expectations were high, but Mourinho's game plan was abolished within 30 seconds and it only got worse from there.

Team Spirit

Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League

Despite the obvious gulf in quality, one thing Chelsea had that United desperately craved is team spirit.

I said it at the start of the season and will do so again now, United are just side of very expensive players slung together to look like a team.

The Blues, on the other hand, looked a unit and a team from front to back, which was evident not only from their performance but their celebrations during the game and after it.

Conte has them playing for both him and more importantly, each other.

Temper Tantrum

Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League

Things boiled over - in a very low key manner, it must be said - as Jose Mourinho whispered what I can only presume were sweet nothings into Antonio Conte's ear at full time.

Frustration had set in and Mourinho clearly wasn't happy with the Italian's jubilant celebrations throughout and at the end, but let us not forget that the Portuguese himself earned himself quite the reputation for sprinting down the touch line with hands waved high.

Quick off the mark

Pedro scores v Man United

It Pedro just 33 seconds to open the scoring - the fasted Premier League goal of the season so far - after some woeful Manchester United defending. Unsurprisingly, it set the tone for the rest of the game as Man United struggled to recover Chelsea ran riot.

Brilliant Kante

Kante v Man United

Chelsea's N'Golo Kante enjoyed another impressive afternoon at Stamford Bridge and was rewarded with a goal to round off the scoring.

Impressive

Chelsea players celebrate goal v Man United

Diego Costa congratulates Kante for his goal and, despite not getting on the scoresheet himself, was a thorn in the side of Man United's defenders all game.

The fact he didn't score but Chelsea still scored four is testament to the Blues' ability to source goals throughout the team.

Reunion

Jose Mourinho and John Terry

John Terry played over 250 games for Chelsea under Mourinho and was the leader behind the club's dominance during the Portuguese's first spell as boss.

And the pair shared a laugh and a joke on the sidelines before the game as Mourinho made his first return to Stamford Bridge as the manager of another team.

The look says it all...

De Gea and Daley Blind after Chelsea goal

Daley Blind tried and failed to block Gary Cahill's effort for Chelsea's second goal and as you can see from the image above, David de Gea didn't look to impressed.