Hazard sets new record as Chelsea runs over Palaces

Chelsea has moved to second place on the EPL table with a cool 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.

Two goals from Alvaro Morata and one from Pedro handed the Blues the win at their own Stamford Bridge turf.

Palace faced nervous moments in the 8th minute when Ross Barkley curled a cross into the box and deflected off Tomkins. The ball was not as high and far for Hennessy to rise and collect it.

Meyer should have been clinical in the 20th minute after he was set free by Zaha from the right side of the pitch. With enough space, Meyer took a shot that unfortunately flew over the bar.

Alvaro Morata opened the score for Chelsea in the 32nd minute after a long spell of Palace resistance. Although Morata appeared to be on offside in the first place before Pedro brought the cross, he smashed the ball with a clinical finish as he took a touch and shot a low cross ball from 10 yards.

Two minutes later, Willian’s goal was disallowed as the Brazilian was offside. It was Pedro who made the assist once again but the assistant referee cut their celebrations shot with his raised flag.

Townsend sumptuously struck the equalizer for Palace seven minutes after the resumption of the second half.  He initially laid the ball for McArthur who redirects the ball back for Townsend to score into the bottom corner.

Azpilicueta broke down his wing and picked Morata who faced Hennessy into a fine save with a header. The flag was, nonetheless up for offside and there Chelsea’s chance of getting the second goal went up in the smoke.

 

Just before being replaced by Hazard, Willian picked Luis inside the area and the defender forced Hennessy into a sharp save with a  header three minutes after the hour mark. Morata got his brace two minutes later as he picked a well taken free kick by Hazard, controlled calmly and finished with a low shot past Hennessy.

Pedro added the third for Chelsea in the 70th minute after his compatriot Alonso put a cross from the left side. Pedro met the cross from 15 yards and saw his low shot go past Hennessy as the Blues extended lead.

Morata could not get his hattrick in the 88th minute as Milivojevic slid to intercept a cross that was laid to him by Pedro. He could not get it also inside two minutes of added minutes after Hazard launched a counter-attack that ended on his feet. He could not beat an onrushing Hennessy who rose to collect the ball that Morata had aimed to lobe over him.

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