Hazard and Costa restore Chelsea’s 10-point lead
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Eden Hazard’s dazzling goal inspired Chelsea to a 2-1 victory at West Ham United yesterday as Antonio Conte’s side restored their 10-point advantage in the Premier League.
Hazard finished off a lightning counter-attack in the 25th minute and Diego Costa’s 49th league goal for Chelsea rubber-stamped victory before Manuel Lanzini belatedly replied in stoppage time.
“I think we played a good game,” Chelsea Manager Conte told Sky Sports.
“We controlled the game. It’s a pity for the goal we conceded at the end. To give away a clean sheet at the end is not good.”
With Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City having won at the weekend, this was a test of Chelsea’s nerve, but their assured display suggested there will be few bumps on the road to the title.
Hazard, in particular, brimmed with self-belief, at one point using his back to play a showy pass to N’Golo Kante, while Costa took his tally for the season to 18 goals in all competitions.
West Ham had won 2-1 when the sides last met in the League Cup in October, but Lanzini’s late strike gave the final score at London Stadium a slightly misleading gloss for the home side.
“Chelsea are where they are for a reason,” said West Ham Manager Slaven Bilic, whose team remain 11th in the table.