Hazard holds key to Chelsea's charge

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will be relying on another big performance from Eden Hazard against Everton.

Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard controls the ball

Chelsea will be relying on a big performance from Eden Hazard against Everton. (AAP)

Jose Mourinho will need another inspired display from in-form Eden Hazard as Chelsea try to cement their position on top of the English Premier League against Everton on Saturday.

Mourinho's side have reached the summit despite just 11 league goals this season from their three main strikers, Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto'o, but fortunately for the Blues their Belgium midfielder Eden Hazard has been in sublime form.

Hazard has netted 12 times in 26 league appearances, while also setting up countless chances for his teammates, and boss Mourinho recently lauded the 23-year-old as Europe's most talented young player.

Chelsea defender David Luiz has also been impressed by Hazard's rise since moving to the Bridge from French club Lille in 2012 and the Brazilian is confident his team-mate can one day surpass Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best in the world.

"He can be one day the best player in the world," Luiz said.

A slip-up by Chelsea against Champions League hopefuls Everton would give second-placed Arsenal the chance to reclaim top spot.

The Gunners are one point behind their London rivals and will be desperate to bounce back from their midweek Champions League defeat when they host Sunderland.

Arsene Wenger's side were left cursing their luck after losing 2-0 against Bayern Munich in a match where Mesut Ozil had a tame early penalty saved and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was then sent off.

Like Arsenal, third-placed Manchester City also suffered Champions League heartache in a 2-0 home defeat against Barcelona that left Manuel Pellegrini's team faced with probable elimination.

City, currently three points adrift of Chelsea, must put that result behind them quickly when they host Stoke City this weekend.

Fourth-placed Liverpool, just four points behind Chelsea, can maintain their surprising title challenge with a win against Swansea City at Anfield on Sunday.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers insists he would be happy with a top-four finish this season, but Liverpool are in superb form in the league and captain Steven Gerrard puts some of that down to teenage winger Raheem Sterling.

The 19-year-old scored a brace in the 5-1 demolition of Arsenal earlier this month and Gerrard feels Sterling is sure to have caught the eye of England manager Roy Hodgson, who will be mulling over the options for his squad ahead of the finals in Brazil.

"Raheem has been in great form over the last couple of months and I'm sure Roy is watching him very closely," Gerrard said.

"The Arsenal game was an unbelievable performance from a guy of that age.

"Now he has to do it every week. If he gets that consistency, he is going to be a frightening talent."


3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


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