Hazard hails ‘massive result’ as Chelsea stay in the top-four hunt
Belgian winger Eden Hazard said Chelsea’s win over Liverpool yesterday was a “big win” to the London club’s hopes of claiming a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Olivier Giroud’s 32nd minute header at Stamford Bridge lifted fifth-placed Chelsea to within two points of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the race to qualify for next season’s Uefa Champions League.
A fourth successive victory equalled Chelsea’s longest league-winning streak this season, keeping them in the hunt while denting Liverpool’s challenge for the top four finish .
It was a frustrating return to domestic action for Liverpool after their Champions League semi-final success against Roma in midweek.
Chelsea, who are three points behind Liverpool, host Huddersfield Town on Wednesday and Tottenham face Newcastle United the same evening.
On the final day of the season next Sunday, Chelsea head to Newcastle and Tottenham entertain Leicester City.
With only one win in their last five league games, Liverpool have made their top-four status an unnecessarily tense affair. “Massive, massive result,” Hazard said.
“It’s a big win so we can try to be in the top four at the end of the season.
“We want something big at the season, so when you win games like this it’s good for the whole team.”
Hazard, 27, reserved special praise for match-winner Giroud, who has made an immediate impact at Chelsea following his January move across London from Arsenal.
Yesterday’s strike was the Frenchman’s latest crucial goal for Chelsea, following his dou-
ble against Southampton when his side were trailing 2-0 before going on to win 3-2.
“[Giroud] is easy to find on the pitch, when you are a small player like me, it’s nice to have a target man like him,” Hazard said. “He missed a couple but in the end he scored and we won the game so it’s okay.
“If we win our last two games I think we will make the top four, it is not in our own hands, but we will give everything.”
Giroud dedicated his goal to teammate David Luiz, who has been absent from the Chelsea team with injury since February. After scoring, the Frenchman ran over to the Chelsea dugout and sought out Luiz.
“David Luiz is a good friend, so I was very pleased to dedicate him this goal because he is going through a tough period and he is coming back.”
Jurgen Klopp’s team should still be able to guarantee a Champions League berth if they beat Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield in their final game on Sunday.
It was a rare quiet night for Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, who struggled to trouble the Chelsea defence and was booked for diving in the first half.