English Premier League: Praise for Hazard as Chelsea search for redemption
The Blues drew against Southampton on Sunday and would now want a winner
LONDON:
Eden Hazard is on course to becoming one of the world's top players, according to Chelsea teammate Filipe Luis as the Blues travel to White Hart Lane on Thursday.
Jose Mourinho's side will attempt to respond to Sunday's 1-1 draw with Southampton by claiming victory at Tottenham Hotspur to guarantee they retain their place at the head of the Premier League table.
And left-back Luis believes winger Hazard will be one of the key figures as the Blues attempt to extend their 10-game unbeaten run against their London rivals.
"Hazard can easily win a game for you and open a closed defence, and he can be in the top three in the world in the next few years because he has a lot of quality and ambition to be there,” said Luis.
"I’m really happy to be his teammate because he is one of the greatest players I have played with."
Chelsea remain three points clear despite dropping points at St Mary's Stadium thanks to Manchester City's unexpected failure to beat struggling Burnley at home in a 2-2 draw.
Arsenal, Southampton launch top-four tussle
Arsenal will hope to begin the new year by reclaiming the top-four position in the Premier League table that has traditionally been theirs.
But Southampton, who drew 1-1 with leaders Chelsea on Sunday, will be determined to defend their position and Wenger has admitted he had not foreseen 2014 ending with the south-coast club so high in the standings.
"They were the surprise because there was a big exodus there at the end of the season last year,” said Wenger. “They did very well, unexpectedly, because they've benefited from the stability at the back and in midfield from last year.”
Arsenal recorded victories over fellow London clubs Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United over the festive period, but will take on Southampton without the suspended Olivier Giroud, who was sent off against QPR.
Knowhow gives Man City title edge: Nasri
Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has warned rivals Chelsea that his side have the experience to chase them down in the race for the Premier League title.
Manuel Pellegrini's City trail Jose Mourinho's league leaders by three points as they prepare to host mid-table Sunderland on New Year's Day.
City won the title last season despite having trailed both Arsenal and Liverpool for long periods during the campaign and Nasri believes that knowhow gives City an advantage in the current title race.
"Everyone is stronger," said the Frenchman. "We get older, we get more mature and stronger mentally.
"You learn to deal with different situations. At this club we've been through all the different situations. We know how to deal with the pressure.”
Thursday fixtures
Stoke v United
Villa v Palace
Hull v Everton
Liverpool v Leicester
City v Sunderland
Newcastle v Burnley
QPR v Swansea
Southampton v Arsenal
West Ham v West Brom
Tottenham v Chelsea
Eden Hazard is on course to becoming one of the world's top players, according to Chelsea teammate Filipe Luis as the Blues travel to White Hart Lane on Thursday.
Jose Mourinho's side will attempt to respond to Sunday's 1-1 draw with Southampton by claiming victory at Tottenham Hotspur to guarantee they retain their place at the head of the Premier League table.
And left-back Luis believes winger Hazard will be one of the key figures as the Blues attempt to extend their 10-game unbeaten run against their London rivals.
"Hazard can easily win a game for you and open a closed defence, and he can be in the top three in the world in the next few years because he has a lot of quality and ambition to be there,” said Luis.
"I’m really happy to be his teammate because he is one of the greatest players I have played with."
Chelsea remain three points clear despite dropping points at St Mary's Stadium thanks to Manchester City's unexpected failure to beat struggling Burnley at home in a 2-2 draw.
Arsenal, Southampton launch top-four tussle
Arsenal will hope to begin the new year by reclaiming the top-four position in the Premier League table that has traditionally been theirs.
But Southampton, who drew 1-1 with leaders Chelsea on Sunday, will be determined to defend their position and Wenger has admitted he had not foreseen 2014 ending with the south-coast club so high in the standings.
"They were the surprise because there was a big exodus there at the end of the season last year,” said Wenger. “They did very well, unexpectedly, because they've benefited from the stability at the back and in midfield from last year.”
Arsenal recorded victories over fellow London clubs Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United over the festive period, but will take on Southampton without the suspended Olivier Giroud, who was sent off against QPR.
Knowhow gives Man City title edge: Nasri
Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has warned rivals Chelsea that his side have the experience to chase them down in the race for the Premier League title.
Manuel Pellegrini's City trail Jose Mourinho's league leaders by three points as they prepare to host mid-table Sunderland on New Year's Day.
City won the title last season despite having trailed both Arsenal and Liverpool for long periods during the campaign and Nasri believes that knowhow gives City an advantage in the current title race.
"Everyone is stronger," said the Frenchman. "We get older, we get more mature and stronger mentally.
"You learn to deal with different situations. At this club we've been through all the different situations. We know how to deal with the pressure.”
Thursday fixtures
Stoke v United
Villa v Palace
Hull v Everton
Liverpool v Leicester
City v Sunderland
Newcastle v Burnley
QPR v Swansea
Southampton v Arsenal
West Ham v West Brom
Tottenham v Chelsea