Eden Hazard scores first goal for Chelsea in win over Newcastle

Chelsea's Eden Hazard (L) celebrates with team mate Fernando Torres after scoring against Newcastle United.

LONDON - Chelsea have used the Premier League's opening week to deliver their own statement of intent. A lavish summer transfer outlay had hinted at regeneration, the constant reminders of Munich in May a recognition of what this club have already achieved, but it is the perfect start played out to a swashbuckling style that has turned heads. The first few skirmishes suggest the team boasts the class to unseat the Manchester clubs.

A third successive win maintained the European champions' pristine opening, with this their most impressive performance to date, given that it was achieved against a Newcastle team whose own pedigree is now well established after last season's exploits. Alan Pardew's side had dazzled themselves when visiting south-west London back in the spring, the pair of goals conjured up by Papiss Cissé that night still seared on the memory. Yet the pizzazz this time around was all Chelsea's. Their collective is a blur of attacking intent at present but the whole setup feels revived by the tricks and flicks summoned by Eden Hazard and Juan Mata, and by the form such creativity is coaxing from Fernando Torres.

EPL 2012: Chelsea defeat Newcastle 2-0

 

 

 

 

 

London: Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres inspired Chelsea to a routine victory over Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.

The attacking pair scored a goal each, with Hazard handing the Blues the lead from the penalty spot after Torres had been fouled by Vurnon Anita.

The Spaniard then found the top corner from 18 yards with a shot struck sweetly with the outside of his boot after his new team-mate had laid the ball off with a neat back-heel.

Newcastle improved after the break but chances remained few and far between, with Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse kept largely at bay as Roberto Di Matteo`s side returned to the top of the Premier League table.

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Squad sheets: Chelsea v Newcastle United

It is too soon to tell what Chelsea will take from the season, but the departure of Didier Drogba could lead to greater variety in attack. Fernando Torres might now impose himself more, even if he was lucky not to have his goal disallowed for offside against Reading. The newcomer Eden Hazard had a great impact and there may be scope for him once again. Newcastle drew with Atromitos in a Europa League play-off in Greece a mere two days before this match and Alan Pardew is bound to change the lineup markedly for this match. Kevin McCarra
Venue Stamford Bridge, Saturday 5.30pm

 

Chelsea v Newcastle United: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic

Chelsea

Subs from Hilário, Turnbull, Essien, Oscar, Azpilicueta, Romeu, Bertrand, Benayoun, Sturridge, Malouda, Meireles, Ferreira
Doubtful David Luiz (knee)
Injured Marin (hamstring, 2 Sep), Terry (neck, 2 Sep)
Suspended None
Form guide WW
Disciplinary record Y2 R0
Leading scorers Ivanovic, Lampard 2

Newcastle

Subs from Elliot, Harper, Williamson, R Taylor, Perch, Tavernier, Bigirimana, Amalfitano, Anita, Obertan, Marveaux, Gosling, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi
Doubtful Shola Ameobi (hamstring), Ba (shin), Coloccini (thigh), Tioté (calf)
Injured None
Suspended None
Form guide W
Disciplinary record Y2 R0
Leading scorers Ba, Ben Arfa 1

Match pointers

• Newcastle ended a run of 18 league games without a victory at Chelsea with their 2-0 win here last season

• Eden Hazard has scored 11 goals and assisted 12 in his last 16 appearances for Lille and Chelsea combined

• Only Manchester City (47) and Manchester United (44) have picked up more points than Newcastle (38) in 2012

• No defender has scored more top-flight goals since 2010-11 than Branislav Ivanovic (nine)

• Newcastle have scored a total of 998 goals in the Premier League since 1992

Chelsea likely to be without John Terry for visit of Newcastle United

 

Chelsea's John Terry receives treatment during Wednesday's 4-2 win over Reading, but is set to sit out the Newcastle game. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/AMA

Chelsea are likely to be without their captain John Terry for Saturday's Premier League encounter with Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge due to a neck injury.

However, the Brazilian defender David Luiz is expected to be fit after sitting out the 4-2 victory over Reading in midweek and could replace the England man.

The summer signing Marko Marin remains unavailable because of a hamstring injury as Chelsea play a third Premier League game in the space of seven days, which is due to their involvement in the Uefa Super Cup game against Atlètico Madrid in Monaco on Friday.

Don’t be so entertaining’

 

ROBERTO DI MATTEO saw Fernando Torres fire Chelsea to the top of the Prem then told his side: Don’t be so entertaining.

RDM’s Blues came from 2-1 down to make it two victories and six goals from two matches.

But the Italian gaffer said: “We’ll have to try to be more solid.

“That’s how you win more games. We’ll certainly look at that. Everyone wants to see a lot of flair play but to win games you need a good balance to it. That’s going to be the challenge.”

Chelsea, who won their opener 2-0 at Wigan on Sunday, suffered a scare after Frank Lampard put them 1-0 ahead with an 18th-minute spot-kick.

Pavel Pogrebnyak equalised for Reading with a glancing header.

Then Blues keeper Petr Cech gifted the visitors a shock 2-1 lead when he allowed Danny Guthrie’s free-kick to squirm in.

Royals No 1 Adam Federici then made a similar blunder as Gary Cahill levelled with a speculative 65th-minute shot.

Chelsea fights back to beat newcomer Reading 4-2

 

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Friday 24 August 2012

LONDON: Fernando Torres helped spare Chelsea from an early Premier League setback Wednesday, scoring the decisive goal as the European champions came from behind to beat newcomer Reading 4-2.
The unmarked Torres tapped the ball into the net from Ashley Cole’s cross from what appeared to be an offside position in the 81st minute to make it 3-2.
“It was clearly offside which was really disappointing,” said Reading manager Brian McDermott, who protested to the referee’s assistant. “It’s just a shame he has made a mistake for such a crucial goal.”

 
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Outstanding! Di Matteo says new boy Hazard is exactly the player Chelsea wanted

His intelligence, skill and movement, coupled with the way he linked with Juan Mata and Fernando Torres, augurs well for the future and Di Matteo believes Hazard’s presence will transform his side’s style, something which Frank Lampard feels Chelsea’s fans are 'crying out to see'.

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Wigan 'lacked intensity' against Chelsea, says Martinez

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez says his team started their Premier League encounter against Chelsea as if it were a pre-season game.
Two Chelsea goals inside the first seven minutes secured a comfortable 2-0 win for the Champions League winners and Martinez admits his team "lacked intensity" at the start, although the Spaniard says Wigan showed "great personality" after going 2-0 behind.
Martinez praises a "mature" Victor Moses - who has been linked with Chelsea - but reiterated his belief that the transfer window should not be open during the season.

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EPL 2012: Chelsea defeat Wigan 2-0

Wigan: Eden Hazard inspired Chelsea to a 2-0 win at Wigan on his Premier League debut, providing an assist for Branislav Ivanovic to score in the second minute before being fouled for Frank Lampard`s penalty five minutes later.

Chelsea remained comfortable for the rest of the match, although Wigan midfielder Jordi Gomez missed several chances in the second half.
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Read what the two coaches said:

 Outstanding! Di Matteo says new boy Hazard is exactly the player Chelsea wanted

Wigan 'lacked intensity' against Chelsea, says Martinez