September 15, 2018
Belgian Captain Eden Hazard scored a hat-trick as Chelsea continued their perfect start under Maurizio Sarri to move top of the Premier League with a 4-1 win over Cardiff at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Sol Bamba’s opener shocked Sarri’s men into life, but the Belgian was too hot for Cardiff to handle with a quickfire double just before half-time.
Hazard completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot before Willian’s stunning strike completed the rout seven minutes from time.
The victory moves Chelsea above Liverpool on goal difference at the top of the table, whilst Cardiff remain without a win on their return to the top flight.
Sarri becomes just the fourth manager to win his first five Premier League games, and, while there appeared plenty to frustrate the Italian as he bounced around on the touchline, the hosts had far too much quality for the visitors.
Cardiff had picked up just two points in 0-0 draws with a man advantage against Newcastle and Huddersfield prior to their visit to the capital.
Al-Farouq Aminu Shuts down Criticism over his Style of Play and D’Tigers Struggles
D’Tigers star Al-Farouq Aminu shut down criticisms about his style of play and the team’s nervy 73-84 win over Ivory Coast both in Friday’s 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier.
Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool: Wijnaldum and Firmino fire Reds to victory at Wembley
GEORGINIO Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino both scored for Liverpool in a Wembley win over Premier League title rivals Tottenham and retain their place at the top of the table.
Despite having a goal ruled offside within two minutes, Liverpool went on to take the lead on the cusp of half-time courtesy of a looping Georginio Wijnaldum header which evaded the Spurs defense and was proved to have crossed the line.
Liverpool took the initiative and soon built on their margin early in the second half, Sadio Mane picking out Roberto Firmino who lashed the ball over the line at close range.
Erik Lamela gave Spurs faint hope in added time after lashing the ball into the bottom corner past goalkeeper Alisson Becker, but the visitors held on to take all three points.
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Former Super Eagles forward Victor Moses has once again been left out of the Matchday squad to Face Cardiff in the EPL by Chelsea Manager Maurizio Sarri.
Chelsea will be looking to make it five wins from five under new head coach Maurizio Sarri when they host Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon.
The newly-promoted Welsh side have so far struggled, drawing two and losing two of their first four games – still looking for their first three points back in the Premier League.
Chelsea will be favourites for this clash, having not lost at home since a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the start of April.
Chelsea replaced Antonio Conte with Maurizio Sarri over the summer, with Sarri bringing Italian-Brazilian midfielder Jorginho with him from Naples to London.
Chelsea have picked up good victories over the likes of Arsenal, Newcastle, and Bournemouth without Moses whilst Cardiff were unlucky to lose 3-2 to Arsenal and drew 0-0 with the likes of Huddersfield and Newcastle.
Here’s the Chelsea team to take on Cardiff today… #CHECAR pic.twitter.com/DoiEOitOfE
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 15, 2018
Despite his retirement from the National team to focus on his Chelsea career, Moses’ game time has been drastically reduced as the former Crystal Place man could no longer make the Matchday squad.
Nigeria won a hard fought victory over Ivory Coast, defeating their West African neighbours 73-84 in the 2019 FIBA World Cup Group F qualifier on Friday in Lagos.
Tottenham Hotspurs will be without skipper Lloris due to a thigh injury, while Dele Alli has also been ruled out of the game after picking up a hamstring strain on international duty.
Questions were raised over Harry Kane’s fitness during the international break too, but Pochettino has insisted that the World Cup Golden Boot winner is at 100% and he will lead the line this weekend as he bids to become only the third player to score in five successive Premier League home games for Spurs.
Lucas Moura has joined Kane in attack so far this season and is the club’s top scorer in 2018-19, but the return of Son Heung-min after a victorious Asian Games campaign could see the Brazilian drop into a slightly deeper role.
An alternative option for Pochettino is for him to deploy a more defensive lineup, with Eric Dier coming in for the injured Alli and acting as a holding midfielder alongside Mousa Dembele.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will be without Adam Lallana after the midfielder withdrew from the England squad due to a thigh injury, but backup goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is fit following a hand problem.
Klopp has made just one change to his starting lineup so far this season and, while more changes will be expected throughout the upcoming run of tough games, he is unlikely to tinker too much with a winning formula just yet.
Tottenham possible starting lineup:
Vorm; Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Dembele; Trippier, Eriksen, Lucas, Davies; Kane, Son
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Keita, Henderson, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mane