Chelsea 3 Newcastle United 0
Chelsea Hazard 27', 34', (pen) 63'
Man of the match Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
LONDON // As the others falter, Chelsea simply become more relentless.
A clean sheet against Newcastle United means they have now conceded just twice in their past 11 games and, with Arsenal losing and Manchester City only able to draw at Norwich City, it feels as though the title race, after the chaotic free-for-all of the first two thirds of the season, may have taken a decisive turn.
The opposition presented by Newcastle was rarely more than perfunctory, but still this was an impressively matter-of-fact victory for Chelsea, one that combined efficiency with sparkle.
Manager Jose Mourinho said he was disappointed in the lack of pressing from his side in the first half and in the way they failed to control Moussa Sissoko’s runs on the Newcastle left, but his team rarely looked in danger.
Nemanja Matic looks a monster at the back of midfield, full of muscle and intelligence as he breaks up opposition attacks, while a dash of magic was supplied by Eden Hazard, a player who has been transformed over the past year from twinkle-toed dilettante into a tireless worker whose moments of invention have a clearly defined purpose.
His third came from the penalty spot, Frank Lampard stepping aside to allow him to complete his hat-trick after Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa had wrestled Samuel Eto’o to the ground, but his first two were both the result of devastating one-twos.
The first was good, Hazard sweeping in after a smart exchange of passes with Branislav Ivanovic, but the second was sensational. David Luiz carried the ball out from defence and fed Willian, who nudged it out to Hazard. He cut infield, laid the ball into the box for Eto’o and ran on to sidefoot the ball home as the Cameroonian back-heeled the ball between Steven Taylor and Mike Williamson and into his path.
“His performance today was not different to other performances he’s had,” Mourinho said of the young Belgian. “The only difference is that he scored, that he had three for the first time. There’s been a big evolution in him.”
Alan Pardew pointed out that that goal emulated from a Newcastle corner won after Sissoko had spurned a one-on-one, his heavy first touch allowing Petr Cech to make the block. Perhaps an equaliser then would have changed the mood, but that was Newcastle’s one real chance and to use that incident to suggest they were somehow close to throwing Chelsea out of their stride is to clutch at straws.
This feels again like the old Chelsea, the one Mourinho led to the title in his first two seasons at the club.
“I’ve played against a lot of Mourinho sides,” Pardew said, “and this is as good as he’s had.” Mourinho demurred: “Can be,” he said.
There is a solidity about them, an energy and a physicality that intimidates opponents, but there is also something more subtle, a skill and a panache that prevents them becoming predictable.
There is still a third of the season to go, and with Chelsea and City both facing relatively easy league fixtures over the next month it is likely to be a while before anything is settled. The advantage, though, and the momentum is with Chelsea.
sports@thenational.ae
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
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Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
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TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
Walls
Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
(Syco Music/Arista Records)
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
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