Hazard, Torres fire Blues to the top

HULL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Fernando Torres of Chelsea scores their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Hull City and Chelsea at KC Stadium on January 11, 2014 in Hull, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

HULL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: Fernando Torres of Chelsea scores their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Hull City and Chelsea at KC Stadium on January 11, 2014 in Hull, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Published Jan 11, 2014

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London – Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres struck after halftime as in-form Chelsea comfortably beat Hull City 2-0 to move top of the Premier League on Saturday.

Hazard broke the deadlock with a powerful low finish, his ninth league goal of the season, before Torres marked his 200th Premier League appearance late on with a clinical finish.

Chelsea moved above Manchester City, who play Newcastle United on Sunday, and New Year’s Day leaders Arsenal, in action on Monday, with 46 points from 21 games.

Chelsea's fourth consecutive league victory was a no-nonsense performance from Jose Mourinho's side as hosts Hull were stifled before being cut open.

Hull keeper Allan McGregor denied Oscar in the first half with a brilliant close-range save but could do nothing after 56 minutes when good work from David Luiz and Ashley Cole released Hazard who jinked to his right before firing home.

Chelsea keeper Petr Cech was never seriously disturbed as he notched up his 150th Premier League clean sheet and Torres made sure of the points after 87 minutes.

Later on Saturday Manchester United will try and snap a three-match losing run when they host Swansea City, a week after losing to them at home in the FA Cup.

Fifth-placed Everton host Norwich City. – Reuters

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