Gaining momentum: Chelsea hoping to kick on from League Cup win

The Blues can now turn their focus to the Premier League against West Ham and Europe

LONDON: Eden Hazard believes Chelsea's League Cup final success can provide them with the perfect springboard for the club's Premier League title challenge.

The league leaders travel to London rivals West Ham on Wednesday three days after beating Tottenham at Wembley to win the first trophy of manager Jose Mourinho's second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's victory came with the added bonus of having been achieved on the same day second-placed Manchester City lost at Liverpool. That result means Mourinho's side head to Upton Park five points clear with a game in hand.

And Belgium midfielder Hazard claims Chelsea will resume their bid to clinch the championship for the first time since 2010 with the belief that comes from already having lifted silverware. "By winning this trophy, we can concentrate on the league a hundred per cent,” said Hazard. It's always important to win trophies when playing for Chelsea.”

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is in desperate need of a lift ahead of his team's daunting meeting with the Blues.

Allardyce has come under growing pressure following a heavy FA Cup defeat to West Bromwich Albion and his position was further undermined by the weekend home loss to Crystal Palace.

That 3-1 defeat left the Hammers in ninth place and Allardyce admits their hopes of claiming a Europa League place are now fading.

"Turning performances into victories is the hardest thing at this level and we've really slipped up in that area, especially when we've been in great positions to win football matches as well," said Allardyce. "We're in very a good position still to qualify for Europe but now we're letting that slip."

 

Ospina says Arsenal over Euro shock

Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina insists Arsenal's Champions League shock at the hands of Monaco is now behind them ahead of their visit to struggling QPR on Wednesday.

Arsene Wenger's side responded positively to their devastating 3-1 Champions League last 16 first leg defeat against Monaco by beating Everton 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Ospina is confident Arsenal's belief has been restored by the win over Everton. "We were not nervous, we were sad after the Monaco result but in football you have to pick yourselves up quickly," he said. "After what happened against Monaco, the only thing that was important was to win the big game to continue increasing our confidence and keeping heading up the table. Now we are already thinking about the next one, which is QPR."

Chris Ramsey's side are battling for their Premier League survival and Arsenal will start clear favourites to return to North London with their seventh win in eight league games. The Gunners are now just four points behind second-placed Manchester City, who host Leicester City but have Liverpool and Manchester United breathing down their necks, who take on Newcastle United and Burnley.

 

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