CAHILL BACK

GARY CAHILL was in hospital this time last week – but last night he ensured Chelsea’s title bid was in rude health.

Cahill had been on a drip suffering from gastroenteritis, which forced him out of the FA Cup semi-final win over Tottenham.

But Blues skipper Cahill led the recovery when he pounced just before half-time with a goal which made it 2-1 and eased the anxiety around Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea led Spurs by 13 points on March 18 but let it slip to just four before this match. Now it’s back to seven.

Eden Hazard and Diego Costa also scored in the first hour as the Blues put more daylight between themselves and Spurs, who play at Crystal Palace tonight.

Cesc Fabregas had called on Hazard to be more greedy and shoot on sight, claiming he could match Barcelona genius Lionel Messi that way.

That is exactly what he did in the fifth minute to score his 15th league goal of the season, his best tally for the Blues.

Costa held up a pass from Fabregas on the right side of the box and fed Hazard. His instant right-foot shot was from a tight angle but it was perfectly directed across Fraser Forster and into the far corner of the net.

Hazard could have had two in the 18th minute as the same three players combined in the same order on a counter-attack.

Fabregas picked out Costa who moved the ball on to the Blues’ No.10.

It was perfect for a right-foot curler but Hazard connected poorly, screwing his shot well away from the far post.

But Saints were level in the 24th minute. A James Ward-Prowse corner glanced off Cesar Azpilicueta and found Manolo Gabbiadini unmarked just past the far post.

Dribble

His shot hit keeper Thibaut Courtois and went to Oriol Romeu, who was able to turn it into the net unchallenged.

N’Golo Kante lifted the home crowd with a stunning dribble into the box with the ball then breaking to Marcos Alonso, whose shot was blocked by Steven Davis.

Hazard then miscued again after Costa chested down to him on the edge of the box.

But in first-half added-time Cahill showed