Hazard and Higuain lead Chelsea to victory

Chelsea 5 Huddersfield 0


Gonzalo Higuain and Eden Hazard both scored twice as Chelsea romped to victory at Stamford Bridge.

Huguain crashed in his first Blues goal to reward a bright start and Hazard’s confident penalty made it 2-0 against bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield just before the interval.

Hazard rounded keeper Jonas Lossl and slotted in after a fine pass by Ross Barkley for the third.

Higuain then curled the ball in from the edge of the box to make it 4-0 with more than 20 minutes remaining and David Luiz sealed victory.

The Brazilian’s deflected header capped a dominant win, albeit against a side who have now lost 11 of their past 12 Premier League matches.

Chelsea had already gone close through Barkley and Higuain before the latter smashed in the opener after an exquisite outside-of-the-foot pass by the excellent N’Golo Kante.

Aaron Mooy came closest for the Terriers in the first half, heading their best chance just over from Chris Lowe’s inviting cross before Higuain’s opener.

But Chelsea had responded well to the 4-0 hammering by Bournemouth in midweek, which saw boss Maurizio Sarri fiercely criticised by his own fans, and created the better opportunities.

Cesar Azpilicueta and Higuain almost added to the lead before Hazard’s penalty did make it 2-0, following a foul on Apiilicueta which the visitors claimed was outside the box.

Willian almost added to the lead with a powerful, curling shot after the break before Hazard ran on to Barkley’s pass after more good work by Kante to as good as secure the points.

Higuian’s wonderful 20-yard effort and Luiz’s header from Willian’s corner completed a much-needed win after the abysmal result against the Cherries.

Chelsea: Kepa: Azpilicueta: Luiz, Christensen, Alonso; Jorginho [Kovacic 70], Kante [Loftus-Cheek 83], Barkley; Willian, Hazard [Hudson-Odoi 77], Higuain.
Subs not used: Caballero, Rudiger, Pedro, Giroud.