SHORT REPORT: HAZARD'S HAT-TRICK SEES OFF CARDIFF IN A COMFORTABLE WIN FOR THE BLUES
CHELSEA FC
16 SEP 2018,
The Blues, inspired by hat-trick hero Eden Hazard, came from behind to secure what was ultimately a comfortable win over Cardiff, making it five victories out of five for Maurizio Sarri's side.
After the visitors had taken an early lead through Sol Bamba, Hazard scored twice in quick succession to give us the advantage going in at the break.
The Belgian then scored his third from the spot after Willian had been fouled, before the Brazilian completed the scoring with a wonderful strike from outside the penalty area.
Hazard’s hot streak
To say Hazard is in a rich vein of form in front of goal would be an understatement. The Belgian has now scored five times for the Blues this season, as well as netting twice for his national side during the recent break. He has now found the target in every match he has started this campaign.
His first goal this afternoon oozed class as Hazard allowed a pass from N’Golo Kante to run through his legs. As the ball was played back into his path by Olivier Giroud, he shrugged off the defensive challenge and drilled a brilliant right-footed strike into the bottom corner, giving Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge no chance.
The second arrived at the culmination of a delightful passing move with Marcos Alonso releasing Pedro initially, his cross was cushioned into the path of Hazard by Giroud, allowing the 27-year-old to double his tally and give us the lead.
Hazard’s hat-trick was completed from the penalty spot as he calmly sent Etheridge the wrong way to ensure he would be walking away with the match ball.
Quality and character
When Bamba fired Cardiff in front it was the first time this season we'd been behind, but the Blues deserve great credit for the manner in which we responded.
It was a time for calm heads. We kept passing the ball and waiting patiently for an opening, which eventually arrived when Hazard scored the leveller. Once he had given us the lead, the result didn't look in doubt at any point.
Star man
It's difficult to look beyond Hazard for this particular accolade. He capped a week in which he scored for Belgium and was nominated for the FIFA FIFPro World 11 by inspiring his club side to a crucial victory.
Team news
There were two changes to the side which beat Bournemouth last time out, and both came in attack.
Olivier Giroud was handed his first start of the season and Pedro, scorer of three goals in our opening four matches, came into the side to make his 100th Premier League appearance.
Key moments
5: N’Golo Kante fed Cesar Azpilicueta whose cross from the right-hand side is headed just over the bar by Giroud.
15: Cardiff take the lead through Sol Bamba who volleyed past Kepa from close range after Sean Morrison had headed a free-kick across the face of goal.
16: We almost hit back immediately but Mateo Kovacic is thwarted by the feet of Neil Etheridge having been put through by Giroud.
23: Pedro is desperately unlucky as a delightful left-footed curler drops inches wide of the far post, great effort.
37: GOAL, 1-1 – Simply sensational from Hazard who allows Kante’s pass to run through his legs and runs onto the return ball from Giroud, before skipping past his man and finishing superbly.
43: GOAL, 2-1 – Hazard turns the game on its head with his second, finishing a brilliant move which involved Marcos Alonso, Pedro and Giroud.
49: Our first change of the afternoon as Ross Barkley came on for Kovacic, who had performed well but limped out of the action.
61: Toni Rudiger does well to carry the ball forward from deep and switches it inside to Pedro, whose right-fotted effort rolls inches wide.
69: Bobby Reid went close to drawing the visitors level as his low curler rolled just beyond the far post with Kepa beaten.
80: GOAL, 3-1 – Hazard caps a memorable day by scoring his hat-trick, converting from the penalty spot after Willian was brought down.
82: GOAL, 4-1 – A stunning strike by Willian who collects the ball just outside the box and bends his shot into the top corner.
83: Hat-trick hero Hazard leaves the pitch to a wonderful ovation from the home fans to be replaced by Davide Zappacosta.
What next?
We now face two matches on the road, with a trip to PAOK opening our Europa League campaign on Thursday before a London derby away at West Ham in the league next Sunday lunchtime.
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