Foto: Getty ImagesChelsea shot to the top of the English Premier League after beating 4-2 in a midweek fixture on Aug. 22.
Eden Hazard repeated the strong performance he had in his debut against Wigan when the Blues met English Premier League newcomer Reading. The Belgian created the penalty that resulted in Chelsea’s first goal, participated in the fourth goal and was a constant nightmare for Reading’s defense.
It was Hazard who started the danger for Chelsea when two minutes into the game he had a shot struck the right post. Then, in the 16th minute the Belgian international was taken down by Chris Gunter inside the penalty box. Frank Lampard took the penalty kick to make it 1-0 for Chelsea.
Reading then reacted quickly and in five minutes they scored twice, grabbing the lead 2-1. Their first goal came off a cross by Garath McCleary that was nicely headed in by Pavel Pogrebnyak. Then in the 29th minute, Danny Guthrie took a free kick that spilled out of keeper Petr Cech’s hands and into the net. Reading had another chance to score in the 44th minute but had to settle for the 2-1 score line at the half.
In the second half Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo sent in Oscar and Sturridge and quickly saw the results of his attacking tactic when Gary Cahill shot from outside the box and the ball bounced off Reading goalkeeper. Then in the 81st minute a beautiful string of passes by Fernando Torres, Juan Mata and Ashley Cole set up Torresfor a tap in that put Chelsea up 3-2. Torres was in offside position when he received the final pass but no call was made.
In injury time Reading goalkeeper Federici was in Chelsea’s box trying to tie the game off a corner but was caught badly out of position on a Chelsea counterattacked and Branislav Ivanovic scored with open net off a pass from Hazard.
Chelsea will host Newcastle on Saturday at Stamford Bridge.
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Eden Hazard continues to impress for his new club Chelsea as they scored a thrilling 4-2 comeback victory against newly promoted Reading in a midweek game of the English Premier League.
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After Hazard was brought down in the area, Frank Lampard converted a penalty kick to give Chelsea the lead at Stamford Bridge.
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Despite falling behind early, Reading surprised the home team with a wonderful header from Pavel Pogrebnyak to tie the game.
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The Stamford Bridge faithful were further shocked when Reading took the lead thanks to a free kick from Danny Guthrie.
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Although Guthrie's shot had power, Petr Cech made a meal of the shot and it squirmed through to give Reading hope of a monumental upset.
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As you knew they would, Chelsea came out on attack in the second half and defender Gary Cahill, seen here battling for possession, brought the Blues back with a deflected shot from outside the box.
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Forward Fernando Torres had a chance early in the second half to give Chelsea the lead but his header went wide of the post.
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Torres, however, would not be denied, as he started and finished a beautiful move that involved Juan Mata and Ashley Cole and did give Chelsea the lead after 3-2.
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Torres and his teammates celebrate after breaking through and retaking the lead from a game Reading squad.
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Branislav Ivanovic finishes off Reading with a late goal into an empty net after Mata layed off the ball for the defender to slot it past a defender (the goalie was caught on the other side of the pitch).
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