LONDON (AFP) - Eden Hazard scored his 100th and 101st Chelsea goals as Maurizio Sarri's men moved back into the Premier League top four by grinding out a 2-1 win at Watford on Wednesday (Dec 26).
Two of the three goals came in first-half stoppage time as the Belgian's opener was quickly cancelled out by Roberto Pereyra's spectacular strike.
However, Hazard made sure he was the match-winner as he was brought down by Ben Foster and then converted the resulting spot-kick early in the second half to move Chelsea two points ahead of Arsenal in the battle for Champions League qualification.
Despite fuming at Chelsea's lack of focus in losing at Stamford Bridge for the first time in charge of the Blues to Leicester on Saturday, Sarri named the same starting line-up with Hazard again serving as the focal point of the attack ahead of Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata.
Hazard had to wait for his chances to come, but showed why Sarri persists with him through the middle as he coolly rounded Foster to give Chelsea the lead.
Until that point, Willian had the visitors' only clear chance when he also rounded the 'keeper but could only strike the post from a narrow angle.
And Watford will believe they were well worthy of their equaliser just a minute after falling behind.
Jose Holebas's corner perfectly picked out Pereyra on the edge of the Chelsea box and the Argentine connected sweetly on the volley to find the bottom corner.
The hosts had claims for a penalty waved away when Gerard Deulofeu tumbled under a shoulder barge from David Luiz, but there was no controversy when at the other end moments later Hazard was hauled down by Foster.
Hazard picked himself up to dispatch the penalty confidently and by the end Chelsea's margin of victory should have been greater.
Willian and N'Golo Kante drilled low shots inches wide and Foster had to race back to his goal after going forward for a late Watford corner to deny Hazard his hat-trick with the last action of the game.
Football Athletics Rugby Higuain must earn permanent Chelsea deal . Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is confident Gonzalo Higuain can be the short-term solution to his side's need for goals
Higuain must earn permanent Chelsea deal - Sarri
May 3, Reuters - Everton bolstered their chances of qualifying for next season's Europa League with a 2-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League on Friday. Marco Silva's side moved into eighth
Everton ease past Burnley to keep Europa League dream alive
Football: 'Stratospheric' Messi scores 400th La Liga goal in Barca win. Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - FC Barcelona v Eibar - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - January 13, 2019 Barcelona's
'Stratospheric' Messi scores 400th La Liga goal in Barca win
Hougang United Football Club has made its final decision on the make-up of the First Team Squad for the 2019 season. The following 23 players will represent Hougang United Football Club in the Singapore Premier League. Rafael ramazotti joins hougang united in singapore.
Was Rafael Márquez the worst ever MLS designated player? | Football
Injured Suarez to miss China Cup for Uruguay playing in the China Cup with Uruguay after spraining his ankle for his club at the weekend. Suarez, 32, is expected to miss between 10 and 15 days
China Cup 2019: Barcelona star Luis Suarez to miss Uruguay's
Roma Youth & Reserves on Chiesa Di Totti. Where in the World is Justin Kluivert? The world may be chanting Nicolo Zaniolo's name right now, but what's happened to the most hyped youth signing Roma's made in the past, well, ever?
Bryan Cristante - the most undervalued player on Index
Both matches will be played on the weekend of 6-7 April. The FA Cup semi-final draw. Manchester City v Brighton. Watford v Wolves. Watch all of the latest FA Cup highlights and reaction here
Manchester City to face Brighton in FA Cup semi-final while
Why Trust Is Critical to Team Success Trust is "hot." Today, more than ever, it's increasingly recognized as an essential asset to break down silos, foster collaboration, deepen teamwork, drive engagement, and manage the never-ending process of change. When trust is present, people step forward and do their best work, together, efficiently.
The Decision to Trust - Harvard Business Review
Maurizio Sarri has downplayed Pep Guardiola's suggestion that Chelsea are still in the Premier League title race as he prepares his team to face leaders Manchester City on Sunday. The 60-year-old Italian said his side were "lucky" to beat City in December when they ended the champions' 21-match unbeaten run with a 2-0 win at Stamford
Football: Chelsea not in Premier League title race, says Sarri
[FILE] African Footballer of the Year, Egypt and Liverpool striker Mohammed Salah speaks during a press conference after the CAF awards at the Accra International Press Conference in Accra, on
Footballer Mohamed Salah Retains African Award To Seal Great
We ignore our Truth and Inner Knowing by making idols out of those who seem to be smarter and wiser than we are, and we fail to realize that nobody knows more about ourselves and our Life path than we Ourselves do. You Know a lot more than you think, and you can tap into this Inner Knowing by learning to Trust yourself. 4.
In and of ourselves we trust | Get Access To Unique Paper
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 (March 20), showing signs of improvement following a disastrous 2018.
New-look Germany make promising start with Serbia draw
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen