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Hazard sparkles as Chelsea sink Arsenal

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Eden Hazard’s exquisite strike inspired Premier League leaders Chelsea to a 3-1 victory over Arsenal that shattered their rivals’ title challenge, while spluttering Liverpool hit a new low in a 2-0 defeat at Hull on Saturday.


Belgian winger Hazard left a trail of defenders in his wake to double Chelsea’s lead in the 53rd minute at Stamford Bridge.


Marcos Alonso had opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a contentious effort as the Chelsea defender clattered into Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin before heading home.


Cesc Fabregas rubbed salt into Arsenal’s wounds in the 85th minute when the former Gunners midfielder chipped into the empty net after a woeful miskick from ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.


Olivier Giroud’s stoppage-time goal was no consolation for third placed Arsenal, who trail Chelsea by 12 points with 14 games remaining.


It was Chelsea’s 16th win in their last 18 league games, prompting Blues boss Antonio Conte to hail the triumph as a significant moment in the title race.


“I consider Arsenal one of the six teams that can fight for the title. To put them 12 points behind is very important for us,” Conte said.


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger fumed over Alonso’s opener, saying: “It was 100 per cent a foul. It was even dangerous play.


“That doesn’t take anything away from the performance of Chelsea. They look solid and we needed to be better.”


Second placed Tottenham are Chelsea’s closest challengers after a 1-0 victory against Middlesbrough kept them nine points behind the leaders.


When Son Heung-Min was fouled by Bernardo in the 58th minute at White Hart Lane, Tottenham striker Harry Kane stepped up to convert the penalty for his 16th goal of the season.


It was a first win in three league games for Mauricio Pochettino’s team, who are unbeaten in their last nine.


At the KCOM Stadium, Liverpool fell behind in the 44th minute when Alfred N’Diaye took advantage of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet’s poor handling to bag a debut goal.


Jurgen Klopp’s side were finished off in the 84th minute when on-loan Everton striker Oumar Niasse raced clear to boost third bottom Hull’s survival bid.


“Obviously that was not good enough. We gave both goals away easily and the overall performance was not like it should be,” Klopp said.


“It makes no sense for us to play like this. We need to wake up, that was not acceptable.”


Liverpool have won only once in their last 10 games in all competitions and will be knocked out of the top four if Manchester City avoid defeat against Swansea on Sunday.


Goal rush


Sunderland stunned their former boss Sam Allardyce with an incredible first half goal rush to demolish fellow strugglers Crystal Palace 4-0 at Selhurst Park.


David Moyes’ side drew first blood when Lamine Kone, signed by Palace chief Allardyce when he was in charge at Sunderland, swept home after Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey dropped a 10th minute free-kick.


The Black Cats were two up in the 43rd minute through Didier Ndong’s first goal for the club.


Jermain Defoe put the result beyond doubt with two goals in first half stoppage-time as one furious Palace fan to run onto the pitch to confront defender Damien Delaney. Sunderland remain bottom of the table but they are now level on points with Palace, who drop to 19th place, and just two points from safety. — AFP


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