Hazard lights up a dull night for Chelsea with a late, late winner

Eden project: Hazard lights up a dull night for Chelsea with a late, late winner

21 Feb 2013 22:16

The knives were out again for Rafa following a lacklustre performance but the Belgian saved his blushes just as extra time was looming

Hazard celebrates scoring the late equaliser

Michael Regan

Eden Hazard rescued Chelsea from Europa League embarrassment with a stunning injury-time strike.
The Blues’ Belgian supersub's stunning winner deep into injury time spared Fernando Torres' blushes - and probably kept Rafa Benitez in a job.
Torres missed four big chances, which left Benitez enduring a torturous night on the touchline as the Chelsea fans turned on the under-pressure manager yet again.
Benitez said: "We could be talking about Fernando not scoring goals, and he had four chances. But he had four chances.
"Let's turn it into a positive - I've seen him in games not having these chances because he's not in the right position.
"The goalkeeper stopped him and he missed some, but he did a good job for the team, was in the right position. It wasn't the situation where the striker disappeared. He was in the right place at the right time.
"Are we disappointed he didn't score? Yes, we are. But he was still giving his all to the team.
"When we came he was scoring in the first few games, but not now. But I have to take the positives. He was working very hard for the team.
"If he continues working like today and playing like he did today, he will score goals. I'm convinced about that.
"I'm really pleased with the result. I'd prefer to score two goals and be more relaxed in the game, but in terms of the confidence and belief of the team, it's quite positive. You can have the belief that you can still always get a result."
Ironically, Benitez took most stick from the home supporters when he took off Oscar to bring on Hazard in the 68th minute, only for the Belgian to make it look like a master-stroke by the final whistle.

Torres completed a perfect hat-trick of misses

Ian Walton

Benitez will not be expecting any hero-grams from the Chelsea fans who would never have expected such a tough night after winning the first leg in Prague last week.
But Sparta Prague stunned them with David Lafata's first half opener and the visitors even had late chances particularly when Vaclav Kadlec blasted just wide in the closing stages.
It left Chelsea facing a nerve-wracking finish and another potential upset for last season's Champions League winners.
The home fans still proudly sing, "Champions of Europe" but that Munich miracle seems a distant memory, especially on nights like these when Chelsea seem to be going backwards under Benitez.
And Torres looked to be in meltdown as the £50m flop wasted three gilt edged openings and even inadvertently even blocked Ramires' late effort.
Torres can never have been lower than this during his 25 painful months at Stamford Bridge since his mega-bucks move from Liverpool in January 2011.
Spain international Torres could have scored twice in the opening 11 minutes but steered a glorious chance wide after four minutes from Victor Moses' low cross.
Then Oscar and Juan Mata - Chelsea's best and most creative players - combined to set up Torres again but the faltering frontman somehow hooked the ball over the bar as he stretched with his right foot rather than risk an attempt with his left.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Chelsea players mob goalscorer Eden Hazard after his goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 second leg match between Chelsea and Sparta Praha at Stamford Bridge on February 21, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Michael Regan

 Mind you, Chelsea are still waiting to discover whether Torres actually has a stronger foot...
Sparta duly punished Chelsea's wasteful finishing in the 16th minute when Gary Cahill's slip allowed Vaclav Kadlec to pull the ball back for Lafata to fire a perfect shot into the roof of the net.
That sparked Sparta's best spell of the game and Petr Cech was forced into a terrific save to stop Tomas Prikryl's low drive on the half-hour mark.
Mata's close-range effort produced a stunning save from Tomas Vaclik, who somehow managed to push his effort over the bar but it was Torres again who headed Jon Obi Mikel's cross over the bar.
Chelsea stepped up the pace after the restart and Oscar's run and pass set up Ramires, whose shot deflected off Matej Hybs and cannoned against the post.
Torres wasted his fourth opening of the night after going through in the 52nd minute only to be denied by Vaclik's brave block.
Finally, Hazard saved Chelsea with a stunning goal after making a strong run, breezing past two defenders and then rifling a left foot shot high into the net.
If only Torres could find it so easy. ----Culled from MIRROR FOOTBAL.


Congrats 2 Chelsea but i can't help but wonder why it's taking Torres so much time to find his goal scoring form.
I still believe very much in his ability but i think what he needs is more psychological than it is physical: he needs 2 be t5alked up and he needs 2 start believing in himself again. Wish u well bro...

What did u think of the game? pls leave a comment...