London, Oct 23: Mason Mount scored his first hat-trick for Chelsea as the Champions League winners hammered Norwich City 7-0 in a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
A relentless performance from the Blues blew their opponents away in west London, as an on-fire Chelsea took just seven minutes to take the lead through Mount, who blasted into the bottom corner from just outside the box.
That was soon followed by a calm finish from Callum Hudson-Odoi, who one-on-one with goalkeeper Tim Krul after a brilliant through-ball by Mateo Kovacic, the first of three assists for the Croatian. Reece James then lifted a clever finish over Krul to make it 3-0 before half-time.
If anything, Chelsea were even stronger in the second session, as Ben Chilwell continued his brilliant run of form by scoring on his fourth consecutive Premier League appearance, and a combination of Max Aarons deflection and Krul fumble added an own goal to the Londoners’ tally.
To compound their problems, Norwich defender Ben Gibson was sent off for his second booking of the day. With the visitors reduced to 10-men, Mount struck two more goals, the first from a retaken penalty after Krul saved his first effort but had advanced off his line. Mount made sure he would be taking the matchball home in injury time when he tapped in Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s selfless square pass.
Having come into this match without a goal to his name this season and never having scored more than once in a match for the Blues, Mount ended the day with his first Chelsea hat-trick.
Arsenal delivered its best performance of the season to beat Aston Villa 3-1 in the Premier League.
“I’m really satisfied,” Mikel Arteta said. Arsenal was completely dominant for most of the game and built a 3-0 lead before Jacob Ramsey pulled a late goal back for Villa, which then pressured for the last 10 minutes without coming closer.
Thomas Partey opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with his first Arsenal goal before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled the lead just before halftime, converting the rebound after seeing his penalty saved.
Midfielder Emile Smith Rowe capped an impressive display by adding the third in the 56th on a quick counterattack. The win lifts Arsenal up to ninth place ahead of the weekend games, with 14 points.
Villa’s Emiliano Buendia then drew a smart save from Aaron Ramsdale before Ramsey curled in a stunning strike from the edge of the box, but it was too late for Villa to avoid a third straight league defeat.
Lacazette was rewarded with his first league start of the season and was part of an Arsenal team that played with an intensity that has often been missing lately. (Agencies)
