Hazard sees sluggish Chelsea past Swansea

[BlueLion. 21,491]

A moment of individual brilliance from Eden Hazard was the difference as Chelsea battled to three points against Swansea at Stamford Bridge.

Netting the Blues' 100th Boxing Day goal, the sight of the diminutive Belgian was nothing more than a blur as he speedily weaved his way through the Swans backline before unleashing a driving effort into the back of the net.

Samuel Eto'o - again - wasted glorious chances to give the game a scoreline that would have offered a fairer reflection of Chelsea's dominance, but despite long spells of second half possession, Michael Laudrup's side were limp and toothless, producing only one save of note from home keeper Petr Cech.

The result means Chelsea move to second temporarily, though depending on the outcome of the Manchester City-Liverpool fixture this evening they could fall back into fourth position, should it end honours even at the Etihad.

Chelsea began the game impressively and finally got the goal they warranted when Hazard blasted home from the edge of the area, but despite concerted spells of pressure - including one spell mid-way through the first half where half a dozen corners were won in quick succession - the hosts, once again, were unable to convert their territorial dominance into goals.

Creating opportunities is not the difficulty for José Mourinho's men - simply sticking them in the back of the net is the issue. A combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping from Swansea's Gerhard Tremmel (including fine saves from John Terry, Eto'o, and in particular, a late strike by substitute Frank Lampard) ensured the home supporters would be on tenterhooks during a progressively tense second half.

This was a game to win comfortably ahead of Sunday's crunch match with Liverpool. Swansea, with one eye clearly on a more winnable fixture with Aston Villa next time round, made a number of changes in personnel, with first-team regulars Michu, Chico Florres, Ben Davies, Pablo Hernandez and Jon de Guzman all either rested or out through injury. Instead, through the wastefulness of their attacking players, the Blues were made to sweat it out as Swansea pressed late on.

Ahead of the match, therefore, you would not have been too adventurous to expect a healthy Chelsea victory, but the Blues made hard work of matters; a recurring theme that is beginning to define the Blues' season - right now, Chelsea are just about doing enough to keep in touch with the league's pace-setters.

Chelsea are far from boring - in fact they were, at times, a joy to watch this afternoon. Chances are not few and far-between; they are being provided by the bucketload. What the Blues need is someone to convert them. Whilst Liverpool will be Mourinho's immediate concern, a striker who can actually finished should surely be high up on the long-term agenda.

There was even a touch of good fortune about the game-winning goal - indeed, for all of Hazard's pace and trickery his shot was straight at Tremmel, and it was only for the interference of Swans skipper Ashley Williams that the German stopper misjudged the effort and saw it go straight through him.

Nevertheless, positives must be acknowledged - this is the first time Chelsea have recorded back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League since this corresponding fixture last season back in April, and the subsequent win at Old Trafford the following weekend.

And further pluses can be derived from the manner of this victory. The fact Chelsea were able to grind out this win is a positive sign of things to come - despite being nowhere near playing "well", the Blues are still in with a shout of title glory. Indeed, should John Terry lift the Premier League crown in May, it is upon games like this - the hard-fought contests - that Chelsea supporters will look back at most fondly.

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[CHOULO19 24,332]

That was quick!

[Sheva. 5,373]

Sluggish Eto'o scores his easy chances and that would easily be "dominant Chelsea".

Good read though

[BlueLion. 21,491]

That was quick!

I don't fuck about, unlike our strikers!

[zolayes 14,489]

SLUGGISH ?????? I was told we were AWESOME ....

[bluephoenix 1,131]

For not being able to wake up at 6am to watch this match. Reading this article made up for that

Thanks

[BlueLion. 21,491]

SLUGGISH ?????? I was told we were AWESOME ....

We were good - nay, very good - for about 30 minutes in the first-half. Other than that, it was the usual dirge, I'm afraid Ron!