Eden Hazard matched his best single-season tally for Chelsea on Monday night with a superb opener in a 2-0 win over West Ham.
The Belgian’s 19th goal in all competitions this season was a reminder of what Chelsea might be missing next campaign as Real Madrid eye a summer move for his signature.
Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at five of his best goals to see if Hazard was right when he claimed Monday’s effort was in his top three for the club.
1. Away to Liverpool, May 11, 2016
It is not often the Anfield Kop feels compelled to applaud goals scored by visiting players, but many could not help themselves after Hazard’s brilliant 32nd-minute opener against Liverpool.
Hazard had not enjoyed the best season, battling fitness problems as Chelsea fought their way to ninth place in the Premier League after the early-season departure of Jose Mourinho.
But he issued a reminder of his world-class talent late in the campaign as he slalomed his way beyond the challenges of four Liverpool players before picking his spot beyond the reach of Simon Mignolet and into the far corner.
2. Away to Stoke, January 12, 2013
Almost every entry in this list saw Hazard weave his way through a forest of defenders before placing the ball in the corner of the net – and for good reason.
But to show he has more than one (very good) trick to his name, Hazard scored a stunner from range at the Britannia back in 2013. Picking the ball up just inside the Stoke half, he wrong-footed Glenn Whelan with the greatest of ease before firing into the top corner of the goal from 30 yards.
3. At home to West Ham, April 8, 2019
Go on then, Eden. We’ll let you put this in the top three if you like. Hazard’s brace fired Chelsea up to third with a 2-0 win over West Ham, but the night will be remembered for his brilliant opener.
Hazard picked the ball up barely 10 metres inside the West Ham half and scythed his way past half of the Hammers outfield with apparent ease, breaking through gaps which did not appear to be there, before rolling the ball home. Brilliant stuff.
And who said only Messi does this. Watch Hazard do itπ―β #CHEWHU pic.twitter.com/Z1vfodws6R
— HarBour Sika π¬πβπ° (@mylo_melo) April 8, 2019
4. At home to Arsenal, February 4, 2017
A goal out of the Hazard textbook of mazey runs. With Chelsea on course for the title under Antonio Conte, they underlined their superiority over an Arsenal side third in the table with another moment of brilliance he made look somehow routine to him.
Four Arsenal players bounced off, the referee waving play on as Francis Coquelin fouled him, as Hazard raced from just inside his own half to the edge of the goal area where, with defenders and goalkeeper converging, he slipped his shot beyond Petr Cech.
5. Away to Liverpool, September 26, 2018
Sorry Liverpool, you’re on the wrong end of another one. Jurgen Klopp’s men have lost only once at Anfield this season in all competitions, but there could be few arguments about the brilliance of the winning goal when they faced Chelsea in the Carabao Cup back in September.
Hazard had already beaten Jordan Henderson and Fabinho when he pulled out a nutmeg on Roberto Firmino. He then played a quick one-two with Cesar Azpilicueta before racing beyond the reach of Naby Keita and Alberto Moreno to hit a rocket beyond Mignolet from a tight angle.
With only five minutes left, Liverpool scarcely had time to lift their jaws off the floor, let alone respond, as Chelsea won 2-1.
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