English Premier League: Hazard, Willian send Chelsea third

London: Eden Hazard and Willian came off the bench and scored as Chelsea won 3-1 at Norwich City on Sunday to climb to third place in the Premier League.

The visitors took a fourth-minute lead when Oscar drilled home from Demba Ba`s lay-off, but Norwich gradually took the upper hand on a sun-soaked afternoon at Carrow Road. Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech had to prevent David Luiz from putting through his own goal and Ricky van Wolfswinkel chested the ball wide from close range, before Norwich equalised in the 68th minute. Martin Olsson`s deep left-wing cross was headed back across goal by Van Wolfswinkel and Anthony Pilkington ghosted in behind Luiz to glance a deft header past Cech. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho reacted by sending on Hazard and Willian, and it proved a masterstroke. Hazard completed an 85th-minute counter-attack with a low shot that squirmed beneath John Ruddy to put Chelsea ahead before Willian curled home a glorious left-foot shot a minute later to claim his first goal for the club. The two late goals elevated Chelsea to third place, two points beneath leaders Liverpool, while Norwich slip to 17th, one place above the relegation zone. Southampton continued their fine start to the season by winning 2-0 at home to Swansea City, which sent Mauricio Pochettino`s side to the dizzying heights of fourth place. Saints captain Adam Lallana broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when he polished off a fine pass from Steven Davis. Goalkeeper Artur Boruc thwarted Swansea on several occasions as the visitors pushed for an equaliser, before Jay Rodriguez made the game safe with seven minutes remaining. Arsenal visit West Bromwich Albion later on Sunday, when a draw will be enough for the visitors to reclaim top spot from Liverpool, who clambered into first place after beating Crystal Palace 3-1 on Saturday. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur can move level on points with Liverpool if they beat London rivals West Ham United at White Hart Lane. AFP