Eden Hazard double secures big victory for Blues
LONDON, April 6: Eden Hazard fired Chelsea one step closer to the Premier League title with a double against Manchester City .
The Belgian opened the scoring with an effort that deflected off the head of Vincent Kompany, but the hosts were immediately pegged back.
City, impressive going forward, were deservedly level as Sergio Aguero poached following a Thiabut Courtois fumble.
The winner came before the break after Pedro was brought down by Fernandinho in the box.
Hazard’s spot kick was initially saved by Willy Caballero, but he could only palm it back to winger, who fired home to secure the three points.
BIG STATEMENT ON TITLE RACE
Circle the date in the diary. Wednesday April 5 was the day Chelsea took a huge step to the title.
They were under pressure, lost at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday and Tottenham won at Swansea.
Anything but a win against Manchester City and the title race would have been wide open.
That is when big teams and managers step forward. Sure enough, Chelsea reasserted their grip and came through a major test.
KOMPANY RETURN
This was Kompany’s first start since mid-November – and it showed. At least the Belgium defender has regained Pep Guardiola’s trust in terms of fitness but he looked a little ring rusty.
Kompany was poorly positioned on Eden Hazard’s first goal and ended up deflecting the ball into the net.
City need defensive stability and leaders. Kompany is surely worth the gamble but this almost felt more of a test of his fitness than him as a defender. It was quite something to put him back into a game of this magnitude.
SANE IN THE GROOVE
It has taken a while but Sane is really in the groove. His tremendous pace and power makes him such a threat when he runs at opposing defences.
Pep Guardiola picked him ahead of Raheem Sterling to carry a pacy threat and Sane is beginning to look the real deal.
PECKING ORDER
Not only does John Terry not get a start for Chelsea anymore, even when Antonio Conte needs to make changes then he does not get a look-in.
In came Kurt Zouma to Chelsea’s central defence and Cesar Azpilicueta switched to right wing back. The only reminder of Terry was the huge Captain Leader Legend banner behind the goal.
As heartbreaking as it sounds, Terry needs to leave this summer if he wants to prolong his playing career.
THIRD KIT A SHOCKER
Who has worn orange well? Holland and Blackpool. Beyond that, we’re struggling. And so are City with their awful third kit which resembles and orange lolly with blue sprinkles.
City’s sky blue home kit and black away strip probably clashed, but there is no chance of any other Premier League club being as garish as City’s orange.