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Writer's pictureBobby Vincent

REPORT: Chelsea 2-0 West Ham


Eden Hazard scored a wonderful double and that was enough for Chelsea to move up to third-place with a win over West Ham United.


Hazard's goal midway through the first-half, where he danced through the West Ham defenders, was the only goal of the game at Stamford Bridge.


The Belgian added to his tally in the 90th-minute after a Ross Barkley cross set the winger up perfectly to slot home.


Chelsea have now moved above London rivals, Arsenal and Tottenham, back into the top-four - and even into third-place.


The Hammers stay in 11th-place in the Premier League table after the narrow defeat, but are well clear of the relegation zone.


Image via @PremierLeague on Twitter

 

Callum Hudson-Odoi was named in the Chelsea starting team for a second consecutive match for the first time, after an impressive maiden start against Brighton last week.


Hudson-Odoi's ability to collect the ball and sprint at defenders was evident in the opening five minutes and it looked like it could be a tricky afternoon for Aaron Cresswell.


Emerson had Chelsea's first shot of the game, but his 25-yard free-kick sailed comfortably wide of Lucasz Fabianski's goal.


N'Golo Kante worked some space very well on 15 minutes and make sweet connection with a left-footed strike from the edge of the box, but it was just over the crossbar.


On 24 minutes, Hazard produced a bit of magic that made Stamford Bridge rise to its feet in applause.


Picking the ball up about 35 yards from goal, Hazard dribbled past one with ease before dancing through another and smash it past Fabianski with his left foot.


Hazard has now had 27 direct goal contributions this season, more than any other player in the Premier League.


Image via @PremierLeague on Twitter

He almost set up Chelsea's second moments after, finding Gonzalo Higuain, whose shot from a tight angle could only find the post.


Hazard was shining at the Bridge and his through ball for Hudson-Odoi on 40 minutes created another chance, but Fabianski was equal to the England winger's powerful shot.


Higuain had another golden opportunity with the striker chesting down the ball from Kante's cross was but his shot was excellently blocked by Ryan Fredericks.


West Ham had a couple of chances at the start of the second period, with Kepa being called to action on both occasions.


Ruben Loftus-Cheek was then through on goal - with the midfielder only being able to find the hands of Fabianski.


Cresswell had a shot on the hour-mark that whistled past Kepa's left post marginally but West Ham were looking a threat.


Marko Arnautovic had a great chance to equalise with just seven minutes left, but his header was deflected wide from close-range.


Hudson-Odoi was bright for the Blues again and he was brought off for Pedro with five minutes remaining - to a rapturous ovation at the Bridge.


Image via @ChelseaFC on Twitter

Olivier Giroud had a great chance to wrap the game up for Chelsea, as he was played through by Barkley but Fabianski saved well.


Barkley was pulling the strings behind the attackers and then the former Everton man found Hazard - who controlled perfectly and smashed past Fabianski to put the game beyond any reasonable doubt.






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