Eden Hazard sends Chelsea back into the top four

Chelsea ended the night in the Champions League night after a 2-0 victory over West Ham United at Stamford Bridge. Eden Hazard scored a fantastic goal midway through the first period and sealed the time in the final minute of normal time to send his team third and take the pressure off his much criticised manager, Maurizio Sarri. 

It was a very slow start to the game with the ball in midfield for most of the opening 10-15 minutes. Although Chelsea had more possession, there were no goalscoring opportunities for either side. Once Chelsea got going, there was no stopping them for the remainder of the first half. Eden Hazard was a thorn in West Ham's side all evening and he showed his first moment of skill after just 11 minutes. He linked up nicely with Gonzalo Higuain before being fouled 25 yards out from goal. The resulting free-kick was hit wide by Emerson, but that would only be the start of Chelsea's attacks.

Four minutes later, Kante fired over the crossbar after getting the ball on the edge of the area. Fabianski reached to try and tip it over, but it went over the goal. In the 21st minute, shortly after David Luiz had received a blow to his face by his teammate Rudiger, Sarri's side threatened again. Azpilicueta and Kante were involved in the one-two with Kante this season. Unfortunately for the home fans, the Frenchman took a couple of touches, his second of which was heavy and that allowed Fabian Balbuena to clear for a corner.

After 24 minutes and with Chelsea pressing, Eden Hazard popped up with a moment of individual magic to break the deadlock. Loftus-Cheek starting the move, he found Hazard and from then on, there was no stopping him. He ran at least 30 yards, he zig-zagged past three or four defenders who were bamboozled by his sharp footwork and he slotted into into the goalkeeper's bottom left hand corner. It was a goal that even the odd West Ham fan may have applauded. 

The goal lifted the Blues and Higuain struck the woodwork three minutes later after a spectacular ball in by the goalscorer. Hazard was not finished though. He made his way into the box again and was shoulder charged off the ball by Arnautovic. Referee Chris Kavanagh deemed it to be legal, but he was a constant nuisance for the Hammers back line.

Hudson-Odoi would then enjoy Chelsea's next couple of chances, both of them in the first half. First he hit straight at Fabianski after being played in by Kante, then a stunning long range pass by Hazard found the 18 year-old England international who saw his shot tipped over by Fabianski. Finally, two minutes before the interval, Chelsea somehow failed to double their lead. It was not Hudson-Odoi this time, but Higuain. Kante spotted him at the far stick, the Argentine, whose slightly offside position was missed by the linesman, chested it down before his volley was blocked by Fredericks and Balbuena.

Chelsea went in one goal to the good and in complete control. The hosts started the second half in similiar fashion. Emerson appealed unsuccessfully for a corner and Hazard had another good chance. Loftus-Cheek ran before feeding Hazard whose shot across the goalkeeper just went past the far upright. Loftus-Cheek then tried to find Hudson-Odoi in another attack to no avail. However, in the 54th minute, the game started to change.

West Ham had their first shot of the match. Arnautovic had the ball, he laid it off to Manuel Lanzini. but the Argentinian's shot was saved by Kepa in the Chelsea goal. From th rebound, substitute Robert Snodgrass won the visitors a corner, Anderson, who would be one of West Ham's most dangerous players going forward, then tested the Spanish goalie seconds later. It was the start of a revival by Manuel Pellegrini's troops.

Chelsea responded with a Loftus-Cheek effort which flew wide, but West Ham continue to threaten. Felipe Anderson sent the ball into the box, Rudiger could only head it out to Aaron Cresswell and his powerful strike flashed just past the far post. Chelsea were still on top, but West Ham kept them on their guard. Hazard a tame effort seconds later and it became an open goal where either team could have scored. Lanzini then managed to cause trouble again in the Chelsea defence causing Rudiger to give his fellow defenders a rollicking. In the 70th minute, Anderson also had a pop after the ball broke to him. 

Declan Rice had an ambitious long range effort from 30 yards out, but there was still time for West Ham to have their best chance. In the 83rd minute, a free kick which was taken short was swung in by Snodgrass and Arnautovic's header at the far post was deflected by Emerson onto the stanchion post. The back of the net then rippled causing some fans to believe West Ham had equalised.

Apart from the Arnautovic scare, the final 10-15 minutes of the game were placid for Chelsea and Hazard had more time so show off his skills. On one occasion he was brought down by Balbuena. On another, he went on a mazy run, passed for Hudson-Odoi and the England man then looked for Barkley at the far post who was unable to reach it. Finally, in the 90th minute, Hazard sealed the deal. It was not as good as the first, but it was still key. Barkley found the Belgian in the area who controlled the ball before firing into the far corner leaving Fabianski for dead.

Eden Hazard's double means Chelsea go third and are three points clear of fifth place Arsenal. West Ham on the other hand, who struggled to compete in the first half, but improved in the second will now find it to difficult to finish seventh and claim the final Europa League spot for next season.