London: Eden Hazard (37th, 44th and 80th minute) scored a brilliant hat-trick to help Chelsea come from a goal down to thrash Cardiff City 4-1 in a Premier League game here, Saturday.
Earlier in the day, Liverpool continued their 100 per cent start to the Premier League season with an authoritative 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Georginio Wijnaldum scored away from home in England’s top flight for the first time before Roberto Firmino gave Jurgen Klopp’s men breathing space in the 54th minute. Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs were again out of sorts following their 1-2 loss to Watford before the international break, with substitute Erik Lamela’s stoppage-time goal giving the scoreline a very flattering look for the hosts.
Later at the Stamford Bridge, Hazard scored twice in the first half, after the visitors took a shocking lead in the 16th minute through Sol Bamba, to put the hosts ahead at the break. The Belgian completed his hat-trick late in the game through a spot-kick before Willian (83rd) to complete the rout.
In other matches, champions Manchester City rode on a goal each by Leroy Sane (second), David Silva (21st) and Raheem Sterling (47th) to emerge 3-0 victorious over Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.
At Newcastle, Granit Xhaka scored a superb free-kick and Mesut Ozil was also on target as Arsenal won 2-1 against Newcastle United to claim a third successive Premier League victory.
After opening defeats to Manchester City and Chelsea, Arsenal have found their groove under Unai Emery against lesser opposition and they survived a poor first half to see off winless Newcastle. The Gunners kept the lead throughout the game before conceding a late goal when Ciaran Clark’s found the consolation goal for the hosts through a header in the stoppage-time.
