Hazard scores as Blues see off Newcastle

Chelsea 2 Newcastle 0

Eden Hazard scored his first goal for Chelsea, who sit top of the Premier League after making it three wins from their opening three matches.

With Frank Lampard not in the starting line-up, Hazard steered home from the penalty spot after Fernando Torres had been brought down in the area by Vurnon Anita.

And Torres’ brilliant finish in first-half injury time doubled the home side’s advantage.

He found Hazard and the Belgian cleverly flicked the ball back to the rejuvenated Blues striker, who fired beyond keeper Tim Krul and into the top corner of the net.

Chelsea were sloppy at times in the second half and keeper Petr Cech bounced back from his midweek mistake against Reading by underlining his quality with a good save at his near post to deny Demba Ba.

But Newcastle rarely looked like mounting a comeback and the European champions remained dangerous going forward, with Torres continuing to revel in his new role as Chelsea’s main man up front.

And Hazard remained a thorn in the Magpies’ side – not least when he sped past Fabricio Coloccini and served up a low cross that was cleared only as far as Ryan Bertrand, whose shot was saved by Krul.

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook