A brace by Eden Hazard inspired Chelsea to secure a 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.

The Blues got off to a bright start and took the lead in the 10th minute when Cesar Azpilicueta made a run down the right and pulled the ball back to Eden Hazard, who’s deflected the first-time effort found the back of the net.

Pep Guardiola’s side came close to scoring in the 20th minute when Fernandinho unleashed a thunderous strike from just under 25 yards out but Chelsea goalkeeper Courtois did well to parry the ball away to safety.

City equalised when Courtois passed the ball straight into the path of David Silva and while the shot-stopper managed to save the initial effort, he had little chance at keeping out Aguero’s rebounded effort to make it 1-1.

However, The Blues then took the lead for the second time when Hazard had his initial penalty stopped by Willy Caballero but the Belgian made no mistake to put the ball into the back of the net from the rebound.

In the first 45 minutes of the match, Chelsea went into the half time interval with a 2-1 lead over Manchester City.

City showed all the initiative to score, with the Blues happy to sit back and soak up the pressure in the second half.

Hazard nearly completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute when he was played in on goal by Cesc Fabregas but the Belgian lacked composure as he skied the ball over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Chelsea have taken the match over, as fatigue appeared to have set in for the City players, who struggled to get back on the ball, with the Blues spending a lot of time on the attack.

City had a chance to level matters in the 90th minute when Nolito played a ball over the top to Aguero, who had his effort saved by the Blues goalkeeper from close range.

Two minutes from time, John Stones had a golden opportunity to equalise when Kompany flicked the ball on him but the defender put his effort over the bar.

However, CXheslea held onto their 2-1 lead until the final whistle to collect all three points against Manchester City and keep their seven-point lead at the top of the table intact.

Image: Premier League website