Hazard, Willian rescue Chelsea

Blues net lategoals to secure 3-1 win at Norwich City in EPL.

NORWICH: Eden Hazard and Willian rose from the bench to score late goals that earned Chelsea a 3-1 win away to Norwich City in the Premier League yesterday.

The substitutes netted in the 85th and 86th minutes to end Norwich’s legitimate hopes of winning the game themselves after Anthony Pilkington had cancelled out Oscar’s early opener for the visitors.

The visitors took a fourth-minute lead when Oscar drilled home from Demba Ba’s lay-off, but Norwich gradually took the upper hand.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho reacted by sending on Hazard and Willian, and it proved a masterstroke.

Hazard completed an 85th-minute counter-attack with a low shot that squirmed beneath John Ruddy to put Chelsea ahead before Willian curled home a glorious left-foot shot a minute later to claim his first goal for the club.

Moyes confident Januzaj will stay at United

David Moyes insists he’s relaxed over the future of Adnan Januzaj after the teenage midfielder marked his full Premier League debut with both goals as Manchester United fought back to win 2-1 at Sunderland.

Januzaj’s representatives have resumed talks over an improved new deal for the 18-year-old, after negotiations stalled following the departure from Old Trafford of Alex Ferguson earlier this year.

The dual nationality Belgian and Albanian prospect’s contract expires at the end of the season, with his agent claiming interest from a string of top clubs all over Europe.

“I’m not too worried about that (contract situation) because every young boy wants to play for Manchester United,” said Moyes. “If I was a young player, I don’t see anywhere better to play, we’re a club that promotes young players and I’m a manager who does that.

“If I was the dad of a young boy who was good enough to play at this level, I could see there was a chance of getting in our team. That’s part of my remit.”

Rodgers demands more from deadly duo

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge can get even better after his in-form strikers inspired the Reds to a 3-1 win against Crystal Palace.

Suarez and Sturridge both scored within the opening 17 minutes before Steven Gerrard netted his 99th Premier League goal with a penalty before half-time at Anfield.

Uruguay striker Suarez has 19 goals in his last 22 games, while England forward Sturridge has 19 in 24 games since joining in January, including eight in nine matches this season, and Rodgers was quick to praise their partnership.

“The two boys up front are as good as any in the league, so you know you’re always going to be in with a chance with them,” said Rodgers.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2013.

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