Two of the biggest contributors to our last Premier League title in 2014-15, Chelsea stars Diego Costa and Eden Hazard are looking to repeat that feat this season. The Brazilian-Spanish centre forward has scored eleven goals and assisted five more in the Premier League, while the Belgian attacker in his free role has eight scores and one assist to his name. Together, they have contributed to 72% of the goals scored by Chelsea in the league this season.
Diego Costa & Eden Hazard are directly involved in 72% of Chelsea's goals:
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) 5 December 2016
Costa 11⚽️,5 (1 for EH)
Hazard 8⚽️,1 (1 for DC)#cfc pic.twitter.com/BbYCYa05TQ
At the moment, Diego shares the lead in the goalscoring charts with Arsenal's Alexis Sánchez, following the latter's hat-trick against West Ham over the weekend. Diego is also third in assists, behind former Blues player Kevin De Bruyne and current Blues midfielder Nemanja Matic.
All in all, the attacking duo's form has not only put Chelsea on top of the league, but put both of them firmly into the early running for the Player of the Year award. Hazard being Hazard can joke about this with Diego of course.
"It’s not bad is it? But I always say to Diego that he can become the top scorer. If I get the chance to score a goal, I will take it. But he can become the top scorer if I can win the trophy of the best player."
"We can laugh about it now, but we’ll see. Diego is performing on a high level, we are scoring a lot of goals. We are strong as a team, we are together and that’s very good. We are going to try to keep playing on this level. We will see, but we are full of confidence."
Against Manchester City, Hazard wasn't quite as impactful as Diego, but the striker's performance has been hailed as something quite special on the day, so that's probably understandable.
Diego Costa, Chelsea 16-17. Yday was one of the most dominant EPL CF performances in a big game in recent times. Monstered City. pic.twitter.com/w9huaJK2l9
— Ted Knutson (@mixedknuts) December 4, 2016
Hazard was nonetheless a strong threat against a team that concentrated on stifling him above all other Chelsea players. He continuously drew fouls and markers towards him, providing opportunities for other players to flourish, especially in the second half. Eventually, he got a goal of his own on a great counter in the final minute of regulation.
More so than his goal, Hazard was glad for the win, the 3-1 scoreline certainly serving notice of Chelsea's ultimate ambitions.
"Records have never been important for me. The only thing that interests me is winning the title at the end of the season. Man City are title contenders and we won. We are satisfied."
"Next week there is another game we will try to win. We are just taking our moments. City had chances to go 2-0, 3-0 up. They could have won if they’d finished their opportunities, but that’s football too. We took our chances."
"Chelsea are always competing for the title. We are in a good position right now, but let’s see. We are trying."
-Eden Hazard; source: Telegraph
Here's hoping we continue to cause havoc for our opponents. Next up, a revenge quest against Claudio Yacob and West Bromwich at home on Sunday high noon.