Hazard at the double as Chelsea closes in on title
Chelsea took a huge step towards the Premier League title as Eden Hazard's first-half brace saw off Manchester City 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Hazard opened the scoring and restored Chelsea's lead 10 minutes before the break after Sergio Aguero levelled for the visitor, converting at the second attempt after Willy Caballero saved his tame penalty.
City pressed for a leveller throughout the second half but Chelsea held out for the ideal response to Sunday's (AEST) shock loss to Crystal Palace, with the gap at the summit remaining at seven points with eight games to play after nearest rival Tottenham came back for a dramatic late 3-1 win over Swansea City.
It is a race Pep Guardiola will now watch from a distance, with his captain Vincent Kompany's successful return from his latest lengthy absence providing a positive for the battle ahead to secure UEFA Champions League qualification.
City – which saw John Stones miss a glorious chance in stoppage time – has now gone four Premier League games without a win and are fourth, four points ahead of Manchester United and Arsenal having played a game more than both.
