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 visitors,
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 Saturday's shock loss to Crystal
Palace, with the gap at the summit remaining at seven points with eight
games to play after nearest rivals 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 Champions
League qualification.
City – who saw John Stones miss a glorious chance in stoppage time
– have 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.
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