M
SM
Friday, March 8

Premier League

TIMELINE

Hazard targets maximum points from remaining matches to secure top four finish

The Belgian believes his side should look to win all of their remaining games.
By Matt McGeehan, | 4d

Eden Hazard says Chelsea are targeting victory in each of their remaining 10 Premier League games to succeed in the "war" for the top four.

What a difference a week makes. From beleaguered to bullish, Maurizio Sarri's Blues now scent Champions League qualification.

Hazard says that, ahead of Sunday's 2-0 win at Fulham, the Blues discussed taking advantage of Tottenham and Arsenal dropping points in Saturday's North London derby.

Maurizio Sarri has set his sights on a top four finish (Adam Davy/PA)

"We talked together in the dressing room about Arsenal-Tottenham. Both lost two points," Hazard told Chelsea TV.

"Top four is a hard war, because we're not only four teams, we're six teams.

"Now we have 11 games to play till the end of the season. We'll try to take the maximum points."

The win over Fulham, with goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Jorginho, two points adrift of fourth spot with a game in-hand on each of their top-four rivals.

"The performance was great and we took three points," Hazard added.

Sixth-placed Chelsea have 56 points, five behind third-placed Spurs, who they beat 2-0 last Wednesday.

Fourth-placed Manchester United are two points better off than the Blues, who trail Arsenal by one point.

Chelsea's next Premier League fixtures are against Wolves, Everton, Cardiff and West Ham, before the trip to title-chasing Liverpool on April 14. Their game in-hand is at home to Brighton.

Sarri's position seemed precarious after the 4-0 loss at Bournemouth, 6-0 defeat at Manchester City and the FA Cup exit to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge which saw his 'Sarri-ball' philosophy derided by home supporters.

Now Chelsea are emboldened. The galvanising effect could be attributed to Kepa Arrizabalaga, who refused to be substituted in the Carabao Cup final with Manchester City with penalties looming.

Sarri thought Kepa was injured, but the world's most expensive goalkeeper – a £71.6million buy from Athletic Bilbao – insisted he could play on. City won the shootout 4-3.

It was initially seen as an act of defiance which undermined Sarri, but the 60-year-old Blues boss seems to be in a stronger position now, after Kepa was fined and dropped for the defeat of Spurs.

Hazard added: "The week was not so easy for him, but he's a great goalkeeper and he's a great guy."

Jorginho scored the decisive goal in Chelsea's 2-1 win at Fulham (Nick Potts/PA)

Kepa made some fine saves at Fulham, where Jorginho's first goal from open play for Chelsea proved decisive.

The midfielder has had his detractors, due to his close relationship with Sarri, but 10 days after coming on to boos against Malmo, he was cheered off at Craven Cottage.

Hazard insists Jorginho is "doing very well" and "gives tempo to the game".

"We need this kind of player," Hazard added.

Scott Parker took charge of Fulham for the first time in the loss to Chelsea (Adam Davy/PA)

Fulham are now 10 points adrift of safety with nine games to play after defeat in Scott Parker's first game as caretaker boss.

Parker succeeded the sacked Claudio Ranieri and hopes to restore Fulham's footballing identity.

Parker said: "I was a player here for four years, and came back as a coach, and ultimately there was a brand and identity to Fulham that everyone understood: passing team; lovely family football club.

"I wouldn't want to do it any other way."

Parker restored Ryan Sessegnon to the starting line-up after an indifferent season for the 18-year-old winger.

"He's had the weight on his shoulders the last few months, and he hasn't been playing well," Parker added.

"I just tried to free him up. I said it to all of them. I don't care what mistakes they make."



amp_article_352255 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2019-03-04 12:00:48:
html db last update - 2019-03-08 08:26:21 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Eden Hazard

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Share this article now:

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
UC
Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Bottas 'not worried' about Ferrari's lead
Madrid 'to offer £145m for Kane, Pochettino'
Report: Man City set for £350m spending spree
Icardi 'refusing' to return to Inter training

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City29232476205671
2Liverpool29217164154970
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs29201856302661
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd29177558382058
5Arsenal29176661392257
6Chelsea28175649301956
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves29127103735243
8Watford29127104141043
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham29116123741-439
10Everton29107123939037
11Leicester CityLeicester29105143541-635
12Bournemouth29104153954-1534
13Crystal Palace2996143539-433
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2987142636-1031
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2886143041-1130
16Burnley2986153253-2130
17Southampton2969143249-1727
18Cardiff CityCardiff2974182557-3225
19Fulham2945202765-3817
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2935211551-3614
Scroll for more - Tap for full version

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
UC
Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City29232476205671
2Liverpool29217164154970
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs29201856302661
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd29177558382058
5Arsenal29176661392257
6Chelsea28175649301956
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves29127103735243
8Watford29127104141043
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham29116123741-439
10Everton29107123939037
11Leicester CityLeicester29105143541-635
12Bournemouth29104153954-1534
13Crystal Palace2996143539-433
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2987142636-1031
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2886143041-1130
16Burnley2986153253-2130
17Southampton2969143249-1727
18Cardiff CityCardiff2974182557-3225
19Fulham2945202765-3817
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2935211551-3614
Scroll for more - Tap for full version
X

We value your privacy

A part of our GDPR compliance we need to ask for your consent. We and our partners use technology such as cookies on Sports Mole to personalise content and ads, provide social media features, and analyse our traffic. Click below to consent to the use of this technology on Sports Mole.