Sarri: Hazard best in Europe
The colour of their jerseys might have been diluted but this was no watered-down display as Jose Mourinho’s side played the Hornets, who had a 100 per cent record, at their own game.
United bagged two goals from problematic set-pieces that gave breathing space in a purple patch towards the end of the first-half.
Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling benefitted from Marouane Fellaini’s prowess under the high ball, grabbing the goals as Mourinho deployed the big Belgian to fine effect.
And although Andre Gray reduced the deficit with a sidefoot finish to set up a frantic finale going into the final quarter, the visitors refused to buckle despite seeing Nemanja Matic sent off late for two bookings.
Delighted Mourinho said: “Sometimes I’m sorry we don’t have a camera in the dressing room because I told them what exactly happened – that it could be a match to win four or five nil, or to be in real trouble.
“In the second half we decreased our intensity, Eden Hazard was last night hailed as Europe’s best player by Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri after the midfielder bagged a hat-trick to sink Cardiff.
Sarri became just the fourth manager to win his first five Premier League matches as the Blues came from behind to win 4-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Cardiff had shocked the table toppers by sneaking an early lead courtesy of Sol Bamba’s smart flicked finish from a set-piece ruse.
Olivier Giroud laid on two goals in seven minutes for Hazard, though, as the Belgian conjured a devastatingly clinical performance. Hazard then converted a penalty with 10 minutes to play before Willian blasted a fine fourth.
Sarri said “When I arrived I thought Eden was one of the best players in Europe. Now I have changed my mind, maybe he is the best.”
Cardiff boss Neil Warnock admitted Hazard was too good for his side and said “He’s unplayable at times.”
Man City won 3-0 at home to Fulham to stay within touching distance of Chelsea and second placed Liverpool.
Leroy Sane, making his first league start for Pep Guardiola’s side this term, took 96 seconds to get City off to a flier. David Silva doubled their lead before the break and Raheem Sterling killed off the Cottagers in 47 minutes.
Elsewhere, second-half goals from Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil gave Arsenal a 2-1 win at Newcastle.
Ciaran Clark netted for United late on but his side remain 18th in the table with just one point in the bag.
Ryan Fraser netted a double to help Bornemouth to a 4-2 win over Leicester.
Josh King and Adam Smith added to Frasers goals to put the Cherries 4-0 up before James Maddison and Marc Albrighton netted late on for City.
Wilfried Zaha hit the only goal as Crystal Palace won at Huddersfield.