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Devastating Chelsea on track for title charge… but these two must stay fit - Gary Neville
GARY NEVILLE believes Chelsea have the credentials for title glory - as long as they don’t lose Diego Costa or Eden Hazard.
Man City vs Chelsea ends in shocking sideline scuffle
The Manchester United legend-turned-pundit watched Antonio Conte’s Blues tear title rivals Manchester City apart in a second-half blitz at the Etihad yesterday.
Chelsea prevailed 3-1 winners despite going in one down at the break, with Costa and Hazard key to the stunning turnaround.
The Blues’ attacking duo were accompanied by Willian on the scoresheet before City’s players lost their heads in a feisty finish to the match.
It was Chelsea’s eighth successive Premier League win under Conte, giving them a three-point lead at the top of the table with 14 games gone.
Diego Costa and Eden Hazard were both on the scoresheet for Chelsea at Manchester City
And Neville insists while it’s too early to say the Stamford Bridge outfit will lift the trophy, he acknowledges Costa and Hazard’s form can keep them up there.
"They are in with a shout [of winning the league]," Neville told Sky Sports. "They have title winners in that dressing room and I think the ones that have won the title before will be thinking, 'This is good.'
"Costa and Hazard have to stay fit, that's the big thing because the drop in quality behind those two is enormous.
Diego Costa is still one yellow card away from a one-game ban for Chelsea in the Premier League
Hazard looks brilliant, Costa looks brilliant and if they can keep those two fit, they are in with a massive chance
"They look really up for it. Hazard looks brilliant, Costa looks brilliant and if they can keep those two fit, they are in with a massive chance.
"There was a devastation about Chelsea today. I am not going to hand Chelsea the title now, it's far too early for that, but when I think of teams that have won the league over the years, I think of teams that are capable of attacking in four or five seconds.
"They looked like they were going to concede at one end, and then all of a sudden it's in the back of the net at the other.
"It reminds me of teams that did win leagues. I saw that devastating counter attack today, which is massively encouraging for them."
Chelsea's Eden Hazard suffered with multiple injury problems last season as the Blues suffered
Diego Costa is the joint-top scorer in England’s top flight this season with 11 goals - the same as Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez.
Hazard meanwhile, who has recovered from his below par campaign last term, has directly contributed to nine of Chelsea’s 32 league goals so far.
Up next for Conte’s men is a visit from high-flying West Brom next Sunday (12pm), giving Blues’ stars a short rest ahead of the Christmas period.
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