FIRMINO’S DOUBLE INSPIRES LIVERPOOL ROUT OF BRIGHTON
LONDON: Eden Hazard gave England followers a glimpse of what to expect at next summer’s World Cup with a glorious display as Chelsea beat Newcastle United 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Less than 24 hours after the World Cup draw put Belgium and England in the same group, Belgian Hazard was in imperious form, scoring twice and running at defenders at will.
Chelsea’s victory, which keeps them third in the Premier League, ought to have been more emphatic but it briefly looked as if they might not collect the three points at all when Newcastle took a surprise lead in the 12th minute.
Dwight Gayle chased down his own header and hurried Marcos Alonso into a back-pass which sold his keeper Thibaut Courtois short. Seeking to prevent Jacob Murphy nipping in to round him, Courtois was forced to dive at the Newcastle winger’s feet but succeeded only in pushing the ball back to Gayle, who stroked it into the empty net.
The Chelsea response was immediate. Twice they went close before the equaliser arrived after 20 minutes. Alvaro Morata contested a high ball and it bounced off him and dropped towards Hazard, who controlled his half-volley to perfection, driving the ball into the ground and bouncing it into the far corner of the net.
That goal settled any anxiety that had been floating around Stamford Bridge and it came as no surprise when the home side took the lead after the half-hour.
FIRMINO SLAMS DOUBLE
BRIGHTON: Roberto Firmino netted twice as Liverpool made it five wins from their last six Premier League games with a 5-1 drubbing of Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
Liverpool opened the scoring on the half hour mark when Emre Can’s powerful close-range header flew past Brighton keeper Mathew Ryan.
Firmino added a second 74 seconds later following an impressive move and the Brazilian made it three with another clinical finish on 48 minutes.