Premier League round-up: Chelsea continue to dominate

Chelsea were in fine form

Chelsea continue to set the pace at the top of the Premier League after an easy 4-1 win over Norwich City.

Goals from Fernando Torres, Frank Lampard, Eden Hazard and Branislav Ivanovic handed the Blues all three points as they extended their lead at the top of the table to four points.

But the home side were given a scare when Norwich took the lead through Grant Holt after 11 minutes, however, normal service was resumed moments later when Torres equalised with a header from a Lampard cross.

Lampard then got on the scoresheet himself when Torres’ overhead kick rebounded off a defender into his path and just after the half-hour mark, Hazard scored after a delightful through ball from the in-form Juan Mata.

Ivanovic then capped off a good day for the Blues when he volleyed home another Mata assist.

Elsewhere, the pressure continues to mount on Mark Hughes after his Queens Park Rangers side remain rooted to the bottom of the table following a 3-2 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

Rangers couldn’t get anything going and were punished right from the off when James Morrision scored after just five minutes. Zoltan Gera doubled the home side’s lead after 22 minutes before Adel Taarabt halved the deficit.

Youssouf Mulumbu added a third five minutes from time as QPR tried to fight back in the dying moments when Esteban Granero made it 3-2. Jose Bosingwa should have rescued a point for the away side, but the right back missed a sitter in the last seconds.

Wigan will be kicking themselves after twice being pegged back at home by Everton. Arouna Kone’s goal after 10 minutes was cancelled out by a Nikica Jelavic a minute later and though it looked like Franco Di Santo’s 23rd minute goal would be enough, Leighton Baines fired home from the penalty spot three minutes from time after Kevin Mirallas was brought down in the box.

Likewise Reading will be kicking themselves after allowing a two-goal lead slip away.

Pavel Pogrebnyak and Noel Hunt handed the visitors a two-goal lead in the first half but Michu and Wayne Routledge salvaged a point for Michael Laudrup’s men.

Philip Wicinski

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