Champions Chelsea returned to winning ways in emphatic style, inspired by the brilliance of their Belgian star, Eden Hazard. Brighton had two penalty appeals turned down as the Blues ran out 4-0 winners at the American Express stadium.
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 20, 2018
#BHACHE @hazardeden10 pic.twitter.com/jUAkoFpeTo
Hazard netted two goals, with further goals from Willian Borges and wingback, Victor Moses sealing a first win in 2018 for the defending champions in the PL.
The win sees Antonio Conte’s side, however, stay third on the table, on 50points, three adrift of second placed Manchester United, who saw off Burnley at Turf Moor.
At the Emirates, city rivals, Arsenal were too hot for Crystal Palace to handle as four goals in the first two quarters of the game saw Arsene Wenger’s side seal tjier first win on six games.
Four goals, four different scorers and a remarkable first half set Arsenal up for an easy and comfortable home win over a poor Palace side.
Palace started the brightest, before Nacho Monreal headed the hosts ahead in the sixth minute.
Alex Iwobi doubled their advantage four minutes later, latching on to a pass from Monreal to make it 2-0.
Laurent Koscielny made it 3-0, as Arsenal began to run riot, sending out a very clear message to Alexis Sanchez, who is expected to join league rivals, United.
Alexandre Lacazette ended his goal drought when he scored the fourth for the Gunners, this time, it was Mesut Ozil cutting the Eagles open for the former Lyon man to calmly slot home.
Palace did pull one back on the second half, through Luka Milivojevic but it was nothing more than a consolation for Roy Hodgson’s side.
At Turf Moor, an excellent goal from Anthony Martial in the second half earned Manchester United a hard-fought 1-0 win over Burnley.
The result sees the Red Devils reduce to gap between the and leaders, Man City, to nine points, albeit with their city rivals hosting Newcastle United later on.
Full Results
Brighton 0-4 Chelsea
Arsenal 4-1 C. Palace
Burnley 0-1 Man. United
Everton 1-1 WBA
Leicester 2-0 Watford
Stoke 2-1 Huddersfield
West Ham 1-1 Bournemouth
