Hazard double secures Chelsea win
Eden Hazard scored twice as Chelsea moved level on points with Manchester United in the Premier League after coming from behind to beat Newcastle 3-1 yesterday.
Dwight Gayle gave the visitors a surprise lead when he finished in the 12th minute, only for Hazard and Alvaro Morata to reply before half-time.
Hazard then made sure of the points in the 74th minute when he chipped in a penalty after Victor Moses was fouled by Matt Ritchie.
The win sees Chelsea strengthen their position in the top four, and move level on 32 points with Manchester United, who play Arsenal on Saturday evening, while Newcastle have now lost five of their last six matches.
Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez was making his return to Stamford Bridge for the first time since winning the Europa League during a sixmonth interim spell in charge in 2011/12.
He could hardly have asked for a better start as Gayle pounced in the 12th minute after Thibaut Courtois spilt a shot from Jacob Murphy.
But Chelsea responded well and, after Hazard was denied by Karl Darlow and Andreas Christensen headed against the post, it was Hazard who levelled in the 21st minute.
Chelsea made four changes, with Hazard, Azpilicueta, Drinkwater and Moses coming into the starting XI. Manquillo, Diame and Gayle started for Newcastle.
Chelsea continued to threaten and Morata headed in from Moses’ cross just after the halfhour mark to put the hosts in front.