Chelsea defeated Cardiff City 4-1 at Stamford Bridge thanks to a hat-trick from Eden Hazard.
Cardiff City took the lead with the simplest goal they’ll likely ever score. After a long free-kick and looped head to the back post, Sol Bamba found the back of Kepa Arrizabalaga after beating Jorginho to the ball. It was a catalogue of defensive errors from the Blues.
Thankfully, when you have a player like Eden Hazard on the pitch, you’re not often going to be trailing for long. The Belgian stepped up with a moment of magic to draw Chelsea level. Hazard found the back of the net for the fifth consecutive game for club and country.
Hazard wasn’t done there, however. The Belgian found himself with a yard of space in the edge of the box right on the stroke of half-time and beat the goalkeeper once again to complete the turnaround and give Chelsea the lead.
When the clock struck the 79th minute, Willian was fouled in the penalty area by goal scorer Bamba. Hazard grabbed the ball and wasn’t letting Jorginho anywhere near it. He stepped up, and bagged his hat-trick. It was a memorable performance from the greatest player in the Premier League.
Chelsea were not finished there, though. Willian picked the ball up on the edge of the penalty area and curled the ball into the top-right-hand corner. Another stunner for the Brazilian’s highlight reel.
Maurizio Sarri has now won all five of his opening Premier League fixtures. Next up is a trip across London to face West Ham, then we host Liverpool at the Bridge.
Here’s our player ratings.
Arrizabalaga 6, Azpilicueta 7, Rudiger 7, Luiz 5, Alonso 6, Jorginho 7, Kovacic 5, Kante 8, Pedro 6, Hazard 10, Giroud 7. (Subs: Barkley 6, Willian 8, Zappacosta 5)