Eden Hazard scored a sublime solo goal as Premier League leaders Chelsea thrust a dagger into Arsenal's title aspirations with a 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The Belgian winger left a trail of defenders in his wake to double Chelsea's lead in the 53rd minute, in between a contentious header by Marcos Alonso and a late lob from Arsenal old boy Cesc Fabregas.
It was Chelsea's 11th home victory in succession and their 16th win in 18 league games, stretching their lead over third-place Arsenal to a huge 12 points with 14 games of the season remaining. "I think we are showing we deserve to stay on top of the table," said Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
"I am very pleased for my players. In every session they show me great attitude and great will to fight and win this league." Chelsea have been close to unplayable since Conte changed their system to a 3-4-3 during their 3-0 loss at Arsenal on September 24 and it seems only a matter of time until they are crowned champions.
For Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who watched from the stands as he served the third game of a four-match touchline ban, his side's season is following a wearily familiar pattern. Arsenal have lost their last five games at the Bridge and had conceded 13 unanswered goals prior to Olivier Giroud's stoppage-time consolation.
Beaten for the fourth time in nine league games, they once again face the prospect of a run-in given suspense only by the tussle for Champions League places. Wenger felt Alonso's goal was "100 percent a foul" on Hector Bellerin, but conceded: "We were really naive and not clinical in our defending. Then Chelsea looked the better side."
With a raft of midfielders unavailable, Wenger was obliged to start with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain alongside Francis Coquelin in the middle, while Theo Walcott replaced Giroud in attack. Arsenal had conceded two goals in the first 13 minutes of Tuesday's 2-1 loss at home to Watford. They almost caught Chelsea cold here, Alex Iwobi curling wide after Thibaut Courtois overhit a pass towards David Luiz.
But after Gary Cahill had headed into the ground and over the bar at the other end, Chelsea went ahead in the 13th minute with a goal that left Arsenal's fans fuming. Pedro sent a cross into the box from the right that Diego Costa headed against the bar at the near post, sending the ball spinning into the air.
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