Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle United
Eden Hazard struck
his first hat-trick in a sublime display for Chelsea to send the Blues
to the top of the Premier League with a comfortable win over Newcastle
United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.The Belgium international opened his account in the 27th minute after a great ball from Branislav Ivanovic before adding a second seven minutes later after a clever flick by Samuel Eto'o.
Hazard completed his treble in the 63rd minute from the penalty spot after Eto'o had been hauled down by Newcastle substitute Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa as they waited for a corner.
But the victory saw Jose Mourinho's team nose ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Chelsea captain John Terry was omitted from the squad with a muscle strain, while Ivanovic made his 250th appearance for the Blues.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew gave Luuk de Jong his full debut along with academy graduate Paul Dummett at left-back as part of two changes to the team that lost to Sunderland last weekend.
Hatem Ben Arfa proved to be an early threat for the Magpies, but Petr Cech was equal to both of his early attempts.
Sammy Ameobi showed some great footwork in the 19th minute to slalom through three Chelsea players to set up Moussa Sissoko, but his effort was wide.
But Chelsea began to find their footing in the game, and after a spell of pressure, they opened the scoring in the 27th minute. A pacy pass from Ivanovic was struck by Hazard beyond Tim Krul for his 12th goal of the season.
The Belgium international almost added a second moments later, but his free-kick drifted wide of goal after Vurnon Anita had clipped Nemanja Matic.
But in the 34th minute, Hazard did add his second of the game. His one-two play with Samuel Eto'o's neat backheel set up the chance for the midfielder, and he guided the ball beyond Krul from the edge of the six-yard area.
Alastair Grant/Associated Press
