Eden Hazard struck twice and Samuel Eto'o scored his first Premier League goal as Chelsea came from behind to defeat Cardiff City 4-1 at Stamford Bridge.
Eto'o - who joined Chelsea on a free
transfer from Anzhi Makhachkala in August - had failed to score in his
four previous league appearances but picked an ideal time to break his
duck on Saturday.
Jordon Mutch made the most of poor defending
from David Luiz to put Cardiff in front after 10 minutes before Hazard
levelled in bizarre circumstances.
Eto'o put Chelsea in front in
the 66th minute and his strike eased the tension, with Oscar and Hazard
putting gloss on the win - that lifted them to second on the Premier
League table - with late goals to the delight of manager Jose Mourinho,
who was sent to the stands for dissent.
Chelsea made four changes
from the side that beat Norwich City 3-1 earlier this month, with
Willian given his first start for the club, while Ryan Bertrand replaced
the injured Ashley Cole at left-back.
Mutch was one of Cardiff's
two inclusions and he made an immediate impact, firing Malky Mackay's
side in front in the 10th minute after he pounced on a defensive error
from Luiz.
The Brazilian left an errant Ramires ball alone,
allowing Mutch to steal in and dink over the onrushing Chelsea
goalkeeper Petr Cech.
The hosts responded quickly as John Terry
went close twice, but they were given another scare when Peter
Odemwingie's flicked header forced Cech into an outstanding save.
The home crowd were growing restless before Hazard scored a controversial goal to level proceedings.
Cardiff
goalkeeper David Marshall was caught napping while bouncing the ball in
preparation for a goal-kick, and Eto'o nipped in to knock the ball
towards Hazard.
The Belgian returned the ball to Eto'o but as a
desperate Cardiff scrambled, he was unable to get his shot away, only
for Hazard to curl in from close range.
The goal should not have
stood and it was perhaps more than Chelsea deserved, but Luiz, Hazard
and Frank Lampard all had efforts as they finished the half strongly.
Cardiff
started the second half well, but they failed to create clear-cut
chances, and only excellent defending from Andrew Taylor denied Hazard
at the other end.
Chelsea did take the lead in the 66th minute though, when Hazard fed Eto'o, who produced a superb finish.
The striker showed quick feet to beat Steven Caulker before firing past Marshall at the near post.
Fernando
Torres had a good effort blocked as Chelsea searched for a third but
they were kept on their toes at the other end, with Cech forced into a
good save to deny Kim Bo-Kyung.
Oscar did seal the result with 12
minutes to play, thrashing an effort past Marshall from 20 yards that
cannoned in off the underside of the post, before Hazard added a fourth
from a tight angle.
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