Spotlight on Hazard to deliver again

Chelsea rests hope on mid fielder’s shoulder.

LONDON: Jose Mourinho will need another inspired display from in-form Eden Hazard as Chelsea try to cement their position on top of the Premier League against Everton on Saturday.

Mourinho’s side have reached the summit despite just 11 league goals this season from their three main strikers, Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o, but fortunately for the Blues their Belgium midfielder Eden Hazard has been in sublime form.

Hazard has netted 12 times in 26 league appearances, while also setting up countless chances for his team-mates, and boss Mourinho recently lauded the 23-year-old as Europe’s most talented young player. Chelsea defender David Luiz has also been impressed by Hazard’s rise since moving to the Bridge and the Brazilian is confident his team-mate can one day surpass Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best in the world.

“He can be one day the best player in the world,” Luiz said.

“I’m so happy for him, because he’s a great person, a great guy, with a lot of talent.”

A slip-up by Chelsea against Champions League hopefuls Everton would give second-placed Arsenal the chance to reclaim top spot.

United in dire need of points

Manchester United will be looking to end a three-match winless run and get their spluttering top-four challenge back on track when they travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

United made the most of a blank weekend caused by their early exit from the FA Cup, as they headed to Dubai for a warm weather training camp after last week’s goal-less draw at Arsenal.

But even there United manager David Moyes couldn’t relax as he continues to reshape a squad which is in need of a major overhaul following a dispiriting start to the post-Alex Ferguson era at Old Trafford.

After the visit to Selhurst Park to face Palace, they re-start their Champions League campaign, and with an 11-point gap to fourth-placed Liverpool, they may have to win the competition to get a place for next season. With 12 league matches remaining they know they cannot afford any more slips like the 2-1 loss at Stoke, which again halted the champions’ progress, at the start of the month.

Moyes will be hoping that the time away will have aided Juan Mata’s integration into the team and the Spaniard is once again likely to start alongside Robin van Persie and Rooney.

Midfielder Marouane Fellaini was on the bench at the Emirates after two months out with a wrist injury, but winger Nani is expected to miss out once again with a hamstring problem.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22^nd, 2014.

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