English Premier League: Hazard, Torres help Chelsea move to top spot

Forwards produce clinical performance as Blues win 2-0 at Hull City.

LONDON:

Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres scored two excellent goals as Chelsea won 2-0 at Hull City on Saturday to climb atop the Premier League table.

Hazard broke the deadlock early in the second period before Torres marked his 200th Premier League appearance with a late goal.

Victory moved Jose Mourinho’s side into first place above former leaders Arsenal, who visit Aston Villa on Monday, and set them up nicely for next weekend’s home game with Manchester United.

Hull goalkeeper Allan McGregor McGregor had to repel a few chances early in the second period before Hazard made the breakthrough in the 56th minute with a characteristic individual goal.

The Belgian forward collected a flick from Ashley Cole just outside the Hull area and shifted the ball away from a couple of defenders before drilling a low shot into the bottom-right corner.

Torres applied the finishing touch in the 87th minute, gathering a pass just inside the Hull half and wriggling past Alex Bruce before slamming a low shot inside the left-hand post.

Pellegrini wants more from Manchester City

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes his side must improve if they are to reclaim the league title this season.

City travel to Newcastle on Sunday looking to move back to the top of the Premier League, with current leaders Arsenal not playing until Monday.

Pellegrini called on his side to raise their game still further as the title race heats up.

“We are in a very good moment, but we are just in the middle of the season,” he said.

“I hope we can do better. It is very important to win titles, not to make mistakes in important games. That is why every game is a test for all of us; it doesn’t matter against who we play.”

Rodgers aims for Liverpool double over Stoke

Brendan Rodgers hopes the memory of Liverpool’s opening day win over Stoke can help inspire his league title-chasers to a rare away victory over the Potters.

Liverpool manager Rodgers saw signs his side could be on the verge of a really significant campaign when new goalkeeper Simon Mignolet saved a penalty late on from Stoke’s Jonathan Walters to secure a 1-0 win at Anfield in August.

“You saw the reaction from the penalty save from Simon – I think it was probably the start of the identity of the team,” said Rodgers.

“That was something that stayed with us and that is growing all the time. I sense that as each day goes by, we’re becoming more of a team.”

Liverpool have never won at the Britannia Stadium and their last away league win at Stoke came back in 1984.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2014.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.