Ranking the 5 best Chelsea goals of the season

Champion-elect Chelsea has scored 98 goals in all competitions this season, with many being of the spectacular variety. Here are the five best tallies from the Blues in 2016-17.

Honourable mention: David Luiz vs. Liverpool.

5. Diego Costa vs. West Brom (Dec. 11)

Diego Costa had no right to score this goal.

For starters, he had no business retrieving the ball. Once he did, though, conventional wisdom said the Spaniard, from that angle, wouldn't be able to curl it into the far corner with his weaker foot.

In that sense, it encapsulated everything that makes Costa such a dominant striker: his aggression - which, granted, sometimes spills into savagery - and deadly precision all showcased in one sequence.

4. Eden Hazard vs. Everton (Nov. 5)

Any goal involving a backheel in the build-up is always in the conversation for best of the season.

Chelsea blasted Everton 5-0 back in November, and the standout tally of the one-sided encounter was Eden Hazard's effort, which featured a sweet assist from Pedro, while also highlighting the Belgian's quickness and body control.

How many players could make a body feint and unleash a perfect, powerful shot like that all in one fluid motion? Hint: not many.

3. Pedro vs. Tottenham (Nov. 26)

Lost amid all the storylines surrounding Chelsea's romp toward the crown has been the reemergence of Pedro, who has been vital to the Blues' success this season; the little Spaniard has paired eight goals with as many assists thus far in the league, offering a constant threat opposite Hazard.

Of his octet, this sumptuous curler against Tottenham stands out, both for the clever little Cruyff Turn, and the strike itself.

2. Nemanja Matic vs. Tottenham (April 22)

Bang. Bar down.

Nemanja Matic settled the FA Cup semi-final against Spurs last month with an unexpected laser into the top corner, his ferocious strike leaving Hugo Lloris with nothing to do but admire the shot as it fizzed past him.

That it clipped the bar and went in makes it so much sweeter.

1. Eden Hazard vs. Arsenal (Feb. 4)

The only possible choice. Matic's thunderous goal was equal parts stunning and vital, but Hazard, who could have comprised this entire list, scored arguably the best marker of the season with his spectacular solo effort against Arsenal in February.

It has a little bit of everything.

His unrivalled ability to keep possession by smartly shielding the ball with his body sends Francis Coquelin pirouetting in midair; the close control and trickery that he's known for twists Laurent Koscielny into a pretzel; the clever finish bounces in over the top of Petr Cech.

It is, simply, the best goal Chelsea has scored (so far) this season.