Eden Hazard's Brace Gives Chelsea Critical Win vs. Manchester City

Chelsea as good as ended Manchester City's Premier League title challenge after Eden Hazard scored twice to help the leaders beat the Citizens 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Hazard's goals bracketed an equaliser from Sergio Augero for City, who were the better side but must now face up to being 14 points off the pace. Things could have been different, though, had centre-back John Stones headed in instead of over from less than five yards in stoppage time.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte kept former Arsenal playmaker Cesc Fabregas in alongside midfield destroyer N'Golo Kante. He also brought young and talented Frenchman Kurt Zouma into central defence, per the Blues' official Twitter account:

Meanwhile, the Citizens handed a rare start to oft-inured skipper Vincent Kompany and midfielder Fabian Delph, per the club:

However, City lined up a little differently, with Jesus Navas continuing at right-back, while Delph helped to try and solidify midfield. Even with the extra shield, City were the ones on top in an attacking sense early on.

The visitors passed the ball brightly and at pace between the lines, with mini maestro David Silva dictating the passing. Silva slid in winger Leroy Sane for an early chance as City turned up the pressure.

Yet luck was with the league leaders, who took the lead on 10 minutes when Hazard was given too much room in the box. He duly punished City with an assured swept finish for 1-0 as goalkeeper Willy Caballero went the wrong way, deceived by a flick off Kompany's head.

In the process, Hazard kept up his niche for scoring at the Bridge, per Squawka Football:

The Citizens weren't deterred, though. Instead, the men from Manchester continued to play, to pass with quality and imagination and make perceptive runs off the ball.

City's endeavour and class was rewarded when Aguero equalised on 26 minutes. Ironically given the away side's smart approach play, it was a rare goalkeeping howler from Thibaut Courtois that gifted Aguero his goal.

The Belgian stopper played the ball out straight to Silva, whose low shot was parried into the path of Aguero.

As WhoScored.com noted, the Argentinian striker just loves to score in the English capital:

"

Sergio Aguero: Has now scored seven goals in his last six appearances in London, netting his 11th away goal of the season #CHEMCI

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) April 5, 2017"

City were level for less than 10 minutes and fell behind when Fernandinho felled Pedro in the box. Hazard stepped up but saw his initial effort saved from the spot, yet still had presence of mind to turn in the rebound.

Chelsea were fortunate to be in front at the break, and Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard felt Conte needed to remove one player to tighten up the Blues' defence:

Conte did introduce Nemanja Matic after the break but opted to sacrifice Zouma instead, per Johnson. Matic was soon beaten in the air by Stones, who drew a decent save from Courtois. The Chelsea stopper also stood up bravely in front of Kompany.

Pedro and David Luiz went close for the hosts, as things became much tighter in the second half.

Chelsea also appeared to become nervy, particularly after Hazard fluffed his lines when presented with a great chance to wrap up his hat-trick. After that, the Blues were content to sit deep and cede possession, with Kante and Matic dropping off and supplementing the back three.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

There was still time for Stones to present his entry for miss of the season as Chelsea held on and left City counting the cost of dropping five points in two straight trips to the capital.

Post-Match Reaction

Guardiola admitted City's title hopes are over after this defeat, per Tom Williams of Agence France-Presse:

Meanwhile, Conte said his side won't focus on the form of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who are the only side keeping any pressure on Chelsea, despite a seven-point gap:

Spurs are winning, but the Blues have proved they have the ability to engineer results even when they don't play well. It's a habit likely to maintain their hold on the title.