‘Terrific’ Eden Hazard sends out a warning to Chelsea’s rivals as they increase lead at the top of the table

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Simon Johnson7 March 2017

Just when Chelsea need him the most, Eden Hazard looks ready once again to be the vital cog in a title run-in. When the Blues won the Premier League two years ago, it was the Belgian who raised his game during the final few months to give them the edge.

Six goals in 12 games secured crucial points that ensured they remained ahead of the chasing pack. One of those key strikes was an away game in March at West Ham — and last night he repeated the feat.

Chelsea had barely posed a threat as an attacking force when Hazard exchanged passes in thrilling fashion with Pedro before sprinting clear to score past Darren Randolph.

It was the same mesmeric pace that he used to bewitch Arsenal’s defence last month for one of the best solo efforts of the season. Not bad considering he picked up a minor injury in training five days earlier.

There has been a lot said, particularly by Chelsea’s former manager Jose Mourinho, about how Antonio Conte’s side have used defensive football to move into pole position. But when you see Hazard in the kind of form he was in last night at the London Stadium, it makes the now-Manchester United boss look a little foolish.

Not all of Hazard’s tricks came off. However, such is the Belgian’s confidence right now, he can even send team-mates in the clear by diverting the ball with his back, as he did for the equally inspirational N’Golo Kante at one point in the second half.

There are occasions where the 26-year-old’s end product still lets him down, whether it be an errant shot or pass. Yet, it is clear his team-mates would not swap him for anyone in the division right now.

As Gary Cahill told Standard Sport after the game: “Eden was terrific. Players like that are special — he’s the kind of player you look to in tight games to open the door and create something out of nothing.

“He was man-of-the-match and I think he’s got about nine of them at home after the season he’s had. He’s in great form, long may that continue.”

Should he keep this up, then Hazard is on course to beat his previous highest goal tally for a season in the Premier League. The attacking midfielder has reached the landmark of 14 twice, in 2013-14 and then again the following campaign.

This term he is on 11, with as many matches remaining but, significantly, Hazard feels in a better position on the pitch than in previous years. The switch to a 3-4-3 formation has benefited Chelsea at the back, as Mourinho has been all too keen to point out.

Yet it has also allowed Hazard to be pushed into central positions on a regular basis, rather than staying out wide, as he often did in a 4-2-3-1 line-up.

Hazard said: “It is easier for me to play inside, close to Diego Costa and the goal. Sometimes when I play wide, I’m alone — and if I want to be decisive I have to dribble past one or two players, so it is not easy every time. But in this system, we know what to do. We create a lot of chances and try to pass to each other all of the time.”

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Try as they might, West Ham could not cope with the speed of Hazard, Pedro and Costa on the break.

In truth, Chelsea spurned many opportunities to make the victory more emphatic. They either chose the wrong pass, dwelt too long on the ball or, in Costa’s case, completely miskicked after Hazard’s cross had found him unmarked in the box.

But the Spain striker took advantage of poor defending from a corner five minutes after half-time to convert with his knee from close range, which meant Manuel Lanzini’s stoppage-time strike counted for nothing.

As far as Cahill is concerned, no one can dispute that Chelsea are deservedly 10 points clear. “I don’t care how, but we are top of the League,” he said. “We are top for a reason. We have been working hard, playing well, not conceding goals, scoring goals. We just want to continue that and keep going. I can’t stress enough that it’s not over.”

That is in stark contrast to West Ham’s season, which has felt like it was over before it really began. Indeed, thousands of Hammers fans had headed to the exit long before the final whistle was blown, demonstrating an air of resignation about the place.

Without the energy of the suspended Michail Antonio, the home side were listless for long periods.

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic was unhappy with his team’s defending for Chelsea’s two goals, but there was a clear gulf in quality on show.

Bilic admitted: “Some of the combinations they [Chelsea] make are amazing and they have the quality and are solid as a unit. They’re very fit, which makes it difficult also. We knew Chelsea are where they are for a reason.”

And West Ham are languishing 33 points behind them in mid-table for a reason, too.

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