LONDON (AFP) - Eden Hazard's magnificent double earned Chelsea a 2-0 win over West Ham on Monday (April 8) and moved Maurizio Sarri's men up to third in the Premier League.
Reports continue to link Hazard with a summer move to Real Madrid with the Belgian refusing to extend his contract at Stamford Bridge beyond 2020.
And he underlined once more how much Chelsea will miss their number 10 should he depart for the Spanish capital with a dazzling display, capped by a sensational solo goal to open the scoring.
Hazard collected the ball just inside the West Ham half, but strode forward jinking past three defenders before coolly slotting past Lukasz Fabianski after 24 minutes.
The hosts and Hazard had to wait until stoppage time to secure the three points as this time he controlled inside the box and fired into the far corner for his 19th goal of the season.
Victory moves Chelsea two points clear of Tottenham and three ahead of fifth-placed Arsenal in the race for a top-four finish, but both their London rivals and Manchester United - five points back in sixth - now have a game in hand on Sarri's men.
In contrast to Hazard's form, Gonzalo Higuain has managed just three goals since joining Chelsea on loan in January, all against already relegated opposition in Huddersfield and Fulham.
The Argentine stated his desire before kick-off to make his move permanent should Chelsea successfully appeal a one-year transfer ban imposed by FIFA, but he had another night to forget in front of goal.
Shortly after opening the scoring, a wonderful looping Hazard pass picked out Higuain inside the area but a combination of Fabianski and the post denied him a much-needed goal from a narrow angle.
Marko Arnautovic was then fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty for barging into Hazard, but that seemed the Hammers' only way of stopping the Belgian captain.
Hudson-Odoi startsÂ
Callum Hudson-Odoi was handed just his second Premier League start and the teenage England international was only denied his first top-flight goal by a flying save from Fabianski to tip his rising drive over.
Higuain's lack of confidence was in evidence as he passed up the chance to head home N'Golo Kante's cross and instead saw his shot deflected behind after taking a touch to control on his chest.
Hazard on the other hand was demanding the ball at every opportunity and was first to threaten again after the break with a shot that flashed across the West Ham goal.
However, having failed to muster a single attack of note before the break, the visitors sparked into life in the second half and could have made Chelsea pay for their failure to kill the game off.
Arnautovic's clever cut-back picked out the unmarked Manuel Lanzini at the edge of the box, but his shot was too close to Kepa Arrizabalaga before Aaron Cresswell then arrowed a shot inches wide of the far post.
The majority of the chances continued to come at the other end, though, as Ruben Loftus-Cheek lifted his effort into the grateful arms of Fabianski with just the Polish goalkeeper to beat.
Ross Barkley then just failed to reach a dangerous Hudson-Odoi cross and Fabianski denied substitute Olivier Giroud as Sarri grew increasingly frustrated on the sidelines.
The Italian was finally able to relax in stoppage time when Hazard was given acres of space to control Barkley's pass and produced the finish to match his performance.
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 14, 2018, with the headline 'Defiant Solari calls for patience'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
I will not resign as coach of Real Madrid, says defiant Solari
Soccer Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Cardiff City - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - March 2, 2019 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Morgan Gibbs-White in action with Cardiff
Wolves deepen Cardiff's relegation plight with 2-0 win
Almoez Ali scored with a spectacular overhead kick for a record ninth goal of the Asian Cup to set Qatar on their way to a first continental title with a stunning 3-1 win over four-times champions
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Almoez Ali on target as Qatar stun Japan
The Norwegian Town Where the Sun Doesn't Rise - The Atlantic
Step up or ship out: Solskjaer. waka 3 weeks ago. 0 0 2 minutes read. Facebook Twitter Google+ LinkedIn StumbleUpon Tumblr Pinterest Reddit VKontakte Odnoklassniki
Step up or ship out: Solskjaer - theworldnews.net
Football: Italy upset Australia at Women's World Cup with Bonansea double; As Canarinhas thump Reggae Girlz. 1 day ago. VALENCIENNES, France (REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN) - Barbara Bonansea scored twice to give Italy a surprise, last-gasp 2-1 victory against Australia in their opening Group C game at the women's football World Cup on Sunday (June
Bonansea fires Italy to last-gasp comeback win over Australia
Man City vs Crystal Palace Premier League 2018/19 Venue: Etihad Stadium Champions Manchester City will trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by four points on Christmas Day after a shock 3-2 loss
Juventus sources have reportedly denied growing speculation manager Massimiliano Allegri will depart the club to be replaced by former boss Antonio Conte. Per Football Italia, Agnelli and Allegri
Flipboard: Serie A champions Juventus deny approaching
WOLFSBURG, Germany (Reuters) - Germany's new-look team made a promising return to the international stage with a 1-1 draw against Serbia in a friendly on Wednesday, showing signs of improvement
New-look Germany make promising start with Serbia draw ahead
Welcome to the Official Arsenal website. Get all the latest news, match video, injury updates, TV information, player info, match stats, tickets, shirts and more
Game of Thrones (season 8) - Wikipedia
Declan Rice's first West Ham goal secured a 1-0 win over Arsenal in a capital city derby clash at the London Stadium. The victory in Saturday's early kick-off saw the Hammers move up to eighth in
West Ham 1 Arsenal 0: Declan Rice scores first Hammers goal
Football: Salah lauds 'unbelievable' Liverpool after Champions League glory MADRID (AFP) - Mohamed Salah expressed his delight at playing a full role in Liverpool's 2-0 Champions League final victory over Tottenham on Saturday (June 1), after injury ruined his night against Real Madrid a year ago.
Salah lauds 'unbelievable' Liverpool after Champions League
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/06/01/salah-lauds-unbelievable-liverpool-after-champions-league-glory/
Salah lauds 'unbelievable' Liverpool after Champions League glory AFP June 1, 2019 AFP No Comments Madrid (AFP) - Mohamed Salah expressed his delight at playing a full role in Liverpool's 2-0 Champions League final victory over Tottenham on Saturday, after injury ruined his night against Real Madrid a year ago.
Salah lauds 'unbelievable' Liverpool after Champions League glory
"If they hire Frank, they will need to give him time. But I can understand why they want to go for him, and he's with former Chelsea youth coach Jody Morris who knows all of the young players.
Hasselbaink picks 2 Prem stars Chelsea should sign if ban is
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen