TheNewsGuru

Tag: Hazard

  • Russia 2018: Meunier, Hazard score as Belgium settles for bronze

    Russia 2018: Meunier, Hazard score as Belgium settles for bronze

    The ‘Golden Generation’ of Belgium were unable to win the World Cup but they have registered their best ever finish ever at the Mundial, finishing third ahead of England on Saturday.

    England were condemned to a fourth-placed finish courtesy of a 2-0 defeat to Belgium in the third-place playoff this afternoon.

    The Red Devils took the lead through Thomas Meunier after only four minutes and then wrapped up the victory eight minutes from time when Eden Hazard doubled their advantage, sealing the Red Devils’ best-ever finish at a World Cup.

    England produced an improved performance in the second half as they looked to salvage their best finish since 1966, but they ultimately fell short to end a memorable campaign in fourth place.

    While England are heading home empty-handed as it were, they should have something to cheer as Harry Kane is in pole position to win the prestigious Golden Boot Award.

    The England skipper is on six goals and France’ Kylian Mbappe is the closest threat but he requires scoring a hat trick in Sunday’s final match against Croatia a feat many see as a tall order.

  • Hazard, Moses, William cap Chelsea victory against Brighton

    Super Eagles forward Victor Moses provided the icing on the cake on Saturday, converting 89th minute chance to round up Chelsea demolition of Brighton and Hove Albion.

    The Antonio Conte led side had no atom of mercy for their hosts as they ran away with a 4-0 victory. Signs that it was going to be a bad day for the host emerged in the 3rd minute when Eden Hazard shot the Blues into the lead.

    Teammate William increased the tally three minutes later after enjoying a a time assist from Belgium international Michy Batshuayi

    Chelsea were not only enjoying the goal feast but also enjoyed 58% possession in front of 30,600 spectators at The American Express Community Stadium.

    Brighton and Hove Albion coach Chris Hughton and his boys had no answer had no solution to their woes as Chelsea continued the feast on resumption of the second half as Hazard returned in the 77th minute for his second goal of the match thanks to Williams assistance. The 89th minute strike by Moses capped the Blues party after getting an assist from Musonda.

    While Chelsea were busy counting their goals Brighton and Hove Albion were counting their cautions as three of the players received yellow cards in the 36th, 56th and 79th minutes respectively. The contribution of Moses is no doubt likely to tickle the fancy of Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr who is hoping that his players enjoy good playing time in their clubs with a view to remaining in super form ahead of the World Cup where they will face Argentina, Croatia and Iceland. Moses was in action for the entire duration of the match.

    Meanwhile Chelsea attacker Willian marked his 50th consecutive appearance in the Premier League, the longest current run of successive games in the division among outfield players, with a fine goal.

    Willian was named in Antonio Conte’s starting line-up for Saturday’s trip to Brighton and Hove Albion, with fellow forwards Pedro and Alvaro Morata missing through suspension after they were sent off in the midweek FA Cup replay against Norwich City.

    The 29-year-old Brazilian featured alongside Eden Hazard and Michy Batshuayi – given a rare start deputising for Morata – in the Blues frontline as Conte seeks to arrest a run of five straight draws in all competitions.

    And Willian scored his 23rd Premier League goal in the sixth minute, rounding off a stunning team move with a 20-yard finish after Hazard had put Chelsea ahead.

  • UEFA Champions League:Chelsea do not fear Barca or PSG-Hazard

    UEFA Champions League:Chelsea do not fear Barca or PSG-Hazard

    Eden Hazard says Chelsea do not fear facing Paris St Germain or Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 after his side were held to a draw by Atletico Madrid and missed out on top spot in their group.

    As it stands, Turkish side Besiktas are the only other possible opponents for the Blues in the knockout stages.

    “It’s not a problem who we get, we are Chelsea,” said the attacker.

    “We know PSG and Barcelona are very good but we are a top team too. We can do anything.”

    Chelsea had dominated against Atletico until the opening goal, with Alvaro Morata going close and Hazard almost weaving through the visiting defence.
    But Saul Niguez escaped the attentions of Tiemoue Bakayoko to plant home a header from Fernando Torres’ near-post flick-on after 56 minutes.

    Chelsea piled forward as time ebbed away, and Stefan Savic turned Eden Hazard’s cross into his own net as the pressure told.
    But, with Roma beating Qarabag in the Italian capital, Chelsea could not find the second goal and the victory needed to regain the lead in Group C.

    BBC Sports

  • Chelsea 3-1 Newcastle: Hazard, Morata sink Newcastle

    Chelsea 3-1 Newcastle: Hazard, Morata sink Newcastle

    Two goals from Eden Hazard and one by Alvaro Morata earned Chelsea FC a workmanlike 3-1 English Premier League victory over Newcastle United on Saturday at Stamford Bridge.

    Dwight Gayle gave Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle side a surprise lead in the opening minutes to set the tone.

    He blasted his shot home in the 12th minute after Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois had dived at the feet of the advancing Jacob Murphy.

    But Chelsea, third in the table, quickly fought back, earning two corner kicks and hitting the post.

    Hazard then got on the end of a ball parried by defender Florian Lejeune in the 21st minute.

    Spain striker Morata’s simple header from a Victor Moses cross, his 10th in all competitions this season, made it 2-1 for the home side at halftime.

    Hazard scored his eighth of the campaign from the penalty kick spot after Matt Ritchie brought down Moses.

    “We must be pleased, we started a bit slowly and when we went 1-0 we started to play with intensity and had chances to score,” Chelsea manager Antonio Conte told reporters.

    “It was a good performance from all my players. It was very important to take three points and we did this.”

    Conte praised the contribution of Belgian Hazard.

    “He played a really good game,” the Italian said. “He enjoyed it a lot to play this type of football.

    “Eden is an important player. With him we change our system. He can play as second striker or as number 10.”

  • Kante beats Hazard, Ibrahimovic, others, wins 2016/17 PFA player award

    N’Golo Kante has won the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award for 2016-17.

    The Chelsea midfielder, 26, beat Eden Hazard, Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexis Sanchez in the vote by his fellow players.

    Kante was key to Leicester’s surprise Premier League win last year and could become first player to achieve the distinction of winning successive titles with different clubs if Chelsea can stay ahead of Spurs in this season’s race.

    Since signing Kante in July, Chelsea have gone from a mid-table finish to the top of the pile with six games to play.

    In his absence, Leicester have largely struggled to replicate their heroics of last season and are still not safe from relegation.

    France international Kante has played every minute in the league this season apart from the Boxing Day game against Bournemouth, when he was suspended, and the final 11 minutes against Tottenham on Jan. 4.

    Kante said: “It’s a huge honour to be chosen by the other players. It’s the biggest honour to get this award.”

    The midfielder is on course to win the Premier League with Chelsea, having done so last season at Leicester, and added: “My first two seasons were very beautiful.

    “Last season was very beautiful. This season so far, we have had a good season but we have to finish well.”

    Tottenham’s Dele Alli won the young player prize for the second successive year, while Manchester City’s Lucy Bronze won the Women’s Player of the Year award.

    Birmingham’s Jess Carter was named Women’s Young Player of the Year.

    Former England captain David Beckham received the PFA’s Merit award for his contribution to the game during the ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on Sunday.

    Also, former England women’s captain Kelly Smith – who became England’s first female professional footballer when she joined American side New Jersey in 1999 – landed the PFA Special Achievement award.

     

     

    NAN

     

  • Premiership: I want the title or nothing, Conte warns Hazard, Kante

    Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has told Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante to forget about individual awards and focus on ensuring the Premier League leaders are crowned champions.

    Chelsea stars Hazard and Kante were named this week on the six-man shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year award, along with Tottenham’s Harry Kane, Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez and Everton’s Romelu Lukaku.

    Conte acknowledged Belgium playmaker Hazard and France midfielder Kante deserved nominations for their part in Chelsea’s rise to a seven-point lead at the top of the table.

    “But I don’t like to make a choice between two of my players. It’s not right. They deserve the best because they are having a good season, but I think all my players are having a great season.

    “I’m pleased because it’s a fight between two of my players and four other players from other teams. I want to see who is the winner.”

    Although the title fight is far from over, Chelsea have already been linked with a host of transfer targets for next season, including Everton striker Lukaku.

    The Belgian, who has scored 24 goals this season, has already had one spell with Chelsea before being sold by former Blues boss Jose Mourinho in 2014.

    Chelsea legend Didier Drogba recently said Lukaku still has a point to prove at “the house he knows”, but Conte was keen to play down talk of a possible move for the powerful forward.

    “I think it’s not the right time to talk about this,” he said.

    “I have great respect for Drogba, a legend for Chelsea, but I can’t talk about this.

    “It’s not right to talk about players from other teams, we must have respect for players and other clubs.”

  • Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal: Hazard ends Arsenal’s title hopes

    Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal: Hazard ends Arsenal’s title hopes

    Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge left Antonio Conte’s side 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

    Only the most optimistic of Chelsea’s rivals could imagine overtaking them with 14 games left.

    Marcos Alonso scored the opening goal in the 13th minute but Eden Hazard’s classic dribble in the second half illustrated the gap between the teams.

    Conte’s Chelsea were disciplined, direct and brimming with killer instinct. The final blow came with Arsenal self-destructing. From their own corner, Petr Cech’s errant kick presented Cesc Fabregas with an easy chip for the third goal.

    Arsene Wenger’s men were shapeless, directionless and lacked fight. Oliver Giroud’s late goal provided little consolation.

    The goals told the story. Alonso gave the home side the lead with a strike that was all about appetite. Victor Moses crossed from the right and the ball seemed slightly behind Diego Costa. The striker leaned back and produced a header so powerful that it hit the bar before Cech could get a hand to it.

    The question was who would get to the ball first as it dropped. Alonso reacted quickest as the Arsenal defence stood transfixed. Hector Bellerin made a half-hearted attempt to clear but Alonso attacked the ball with aggression and hit both ball and man with force.

    The header flew into the net and Bellerin was left in a heap on the floor. The Arsenal full-back had to be taken off after suffering concussion but it was no foul.

    The ball was available and Bellerin’s rather weak attempt to contest the header left him on the back foot and vulnerable in the collision.

    The rest of the Arsenal team looked equally stunned by the goal. Costa was allowed to shoot into the side netting and Wenger’s side looked bewildered.

    Even though the visiting side had plenty of possession, they created little.

     

    ESPNFC