Pedro’s stunning first-time strike as good as wrapped up victory in the early stages of the second half.
The Blues were in total control at the break thanks to Tiemoue Bakayoko’s tidy finish and Willian’s header.
And Huddersfield went 3-0 behind five minutes after the restart when Willian managed to knock Marcos Alonso’s cross back to Pedro, who crashed it into the top corner.
French midfielder Bakayoko – much maligned for his performance in Saturday’s defeat against West Ham – had opened the scoring with a neat shot across goal after some superb interplay between Eden Hazard and Willian to put the visitors ahead.
And Willian headed in Marcos Alonso’s sumptuous cross at the far post to make it 2-0 just before the interval.
Before that Chelsea had the better of a lively start but were unable to create much against a disciplined defence.
The Blues were playing without a recognised striker having rested Alvaro Morata and opted for Willian and Pedro playing in support of Hazard in a front three.
All three posed problems early on, but although Pedro did put the ball in the back of the net from an offside position after a Willian pass, they were kept at arm’s length by a packed rearguard.
Huddersfield, who have only lost twice at home this season, rarely threatened. The closest they came was when a well-struck Aaron Mooy shot was blocked on the edge of the penalty box.
But with Chelsea still on top, Bakayoko kept his cool to give them the lead following a poor clearance by home keeper Jonas Lossl.
Antonio Conte’s side continued to dominate possession and, after N’Golo Kante blasted an effort over the bar and Bakayoko sent a header off target, Willian doubled the lead.
Pedro could have added a third moments later only to be denied by the on-rushing Lossl.
But the Spaniard’s emphatic finish after the restart gave the keeper no chance and all but ensured a win which would take Antonio Conte’s side level on points with second-placed Manchester United.
Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Moses, Kante, Bakayoko, Alonso; Willian, Hazard, Pedro.
Subs: Caballero, Cahill, Ampadu, Drinkwater, Fabregas, Musonda, Batshuayi.
This post was last modified on 12/12/2017