LONDON — Eden Hazard sent Chelsea top of the Premier League by netting his first hat trick for the club to produce a routine 3-0 victory over struggling Newcastle on Saturday. The Belgium winger scored twice in seven minutes during an eye-catching attacking spell in the first half, then claimed his 14th of the season from the penalty spot after the break. With the defensive solidity that has seen Chelsea concede just two in nine league games, Jose Mourinhos side was rarely troubled as Newcastle slumped to its fifth loss in seven. But Chelsea is now leading the way in Mourinhos first season back at the London club, seizing on deposed leader Arsenal being humiliated 5-1 at Liverpool, and Manchester City being held 0-0 at Norwich. For Newcastle, which is eighth despite appearing to be in freefall, the collapse at Stamford Bridge came at the end of a yet another turbulent week for the club First came a northern derby loss to Sunderland. Then the ineffective, and widely mocked, director of football Joe Kinnear quit suddenly after failing to make a single permanent signing in the two transfer windows he was at the club. And finally, the reserve team manager was forced out over an incident with one of his players. This was a chance to turn a corner, and it was a more assured start by the team that went down 3-0 to Sunderland. Chelsea was initially restricted to efforts from distance, with Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul blocking a low shot and then a free kick from Frank Lampard. Soon, though, Newcastle was left reeling with no way back. As Chelsea upped the intensity, a cross from Hazard was kicked away by Krul before Samuel Etoo could pounce, and Oscar struck wide after Nemanja Matic and Etoo combined to setup the Brazil midfielder. The move that led to the opener in the 27th minute started from the halfway line before Branislav Ivanovic squared for Hazard to score from close range. Newcastle had a chance to equalize when Moussa Sissoko drew goalkeeper Petr Cech off his line, but he could only shoot wide. The Magpies were two down in the 34th after Chelsea launched a counterattack as rapid as it was slick. Fed by Willian, Hazard cut in from the left, and played a one-two with Etoo, who flicked the ball back for the Belgian to net again. Kruls blushes were spared at the start of the second half when David Luizs long ball bounced over the goalkeeper, but Oscar couldnt reach it to direct over the line. Krul tipped over a free kick whipped in from a tight angle from Lampard but, from the resulting corner, Newcastles misery deepened in the 63rd. In an off-the-ball incident, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa brought down Samuel Etoo and Hazard sent Krul the wrong way from the penalty spot. And with eight wins in 10, Chelsea is primed for its pursuit of titles on three fronts — the league, FA Cup and Champions League.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Feb 2014 18:17:58 +0000
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