Hazard sparkles as Chelsea sees off City
Print Edition
EDEN Hazard fired Premier League leader Chelsea to a crucial 2-1 win over Manchester City, but Tottenham is hot on its heels after a sensational fightback in its 3-1 victory at Swansea on Wednesday.
Chelsea remains seven points clear of second placed Tottenham with eight games to play, yet with just minutes left on a dramatic evening it seemed the Blues would have a much greater lead.
Rocked by Saturday’s shock 1-2 home defeat against Crystal Palace, Antonio Conte’s Chelsea side took only 10 minutes to take the lead through Hazard’s 12th goal of the season. Hazard’s effort deflected off Vincent Kompany and beat Willy Caballero, whose weak attempted save drew a frustrated look from City boss Pep Guardiola as he contemplated the latest in a growing list of gaffes from his goalkeepers this season.
Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois was guilty of an even worse blunder, spilling David Silva’s shot to Sergio Aguero, who tapped in City’s 26th minute equalizer.
Conte’s team was back in front after 35 minutes when Fernandinho conceded a penalty with a foul on Pedro.
Hazard’s spot-kick was saved by Caballero, but the Belgian recovered quickly to finish off the rebound.
At the Liberty Stadium, Tottenham fell behind in the 11th minute when Wayne Routledge turned in Jordan Ayew’s cross for Swansea.
But Tottenham staged an incredible finale as England midfielder Dele Alli equalized with an 88th minute tap-in. A minute into stoppage-time, South Korea forward Son Heung-Min bagged his 16th goal of the season with a clinical finish and there was still time for Christian Eriksen’s strike to put the seal on Tottenham’s fifth successive win.
“It is crazy how the goals came in the last few minutes but we pushed and we created chances to win. This season we are fighting again,” Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino said.
Arsenal eased the pressure on Arsene Wenger and climbed back into the race for Champions League qualification with a 3-0 win over West Ham.
Liverpool was hit by a late sucker punch as Bournemouth snatched a 2-2 draw at Anfield.
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