Eden caused Hazard for Reading

Hazardous!

Chelsea’s new signing Eden Hazard was just too hot for Reading to handle, as the Champions League holders ran out 4-2 winners at the end of the game which took them to the top of the table with 6 point out of two games. Chelsea started the game like a house on fire, and the persistent pressure led to a foul on Hazard in the 18-yard box. Frank Lampard efficiently converted the resulting penalty and gave Chelsea an early lead. But Reading did not give up, they replied with two goals from Pogrebniak and Guthrie as they ran out with a 2-1 lead at half time.

Chelsea came back stronger in the second half, and as time went by, the resilience of Reading carved in, as a long range shot by Cahill went in to provide the equaliser. Torres tapped in from close range to give Chelsea the lead for the second time. Desperate measures to get an equaliser made Reading’s goalkeeper, Federici, to make his way to the opposite 18-yard box to assist his team mates in corner kick at the dying minutes of the game. But this resulted to the fourth goal, as Torres set Hazard free on a counter attacker that saw the Reading keeper struggling to keep pace with Hazard; with 80% chance of conversion, hazard decided to gift the goal to Ivanovic who required a simple tap-in to make the score 4-2. Hazard’s immense contribution is seen in his 3 assists on the night, taking his tally to five assists in two matches.

This result must delight RDM, as a bright start to the season may become advantageous at a time when fellow contenders like Man U and Arsenal are struggling. The Italian praised his players, but requested solidity from the team, as that will be key to producing desired results.

So far, £32m spent on Hazard has not been unjustified…Chelsea can only pray that injuries should not cut short his progress.

Tonight, there will be action in Spain as we experience the first el clasico, when Barca meets Madrid in the Super Cup. Barca’s new coach Vilanova will receive his first test of the el clasico as Coach; while Real Madrid will try to shake-off their below-par performance against Valencia, and get their first win of the season.

Europa League qualifiers will also see Newcastle playing Atromitos; while Hearts will host Liverpool.

Enjoy the matches, and let’s discuss them tomorrow.