Hazard the difference

Champions-elect Chelsea took a significant step towards the Premier League title as Eden Hazard's first-half goal secured a clinical 1-0 home win over in-form Manchester United on Saturday.

United were seeking a seventh consecutive league win, but despite bossing possession, it was Chelsea who prevailed after Hazard sped through to score his 13th goal of the campaign in the 38th minute at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgian's strike left his side 10 points clear of second-place Arsenal, who welcome Jose Mourinho's side to the Emirates Stadium next weekend, when another Chelsea win will bring a first title since 2010 within reach.

United's recent surge had prompted talk of an improbable title tilt, but with Louis van Gaal's men 11 points below Chelsea having played a game more, automatic Champions League qualification is now their only objective.

And while United's football suggested there are better days ahead at Old Trafford, it is League Cup winners Chelsea, whose last seven wins have all been by a one-goal margin, who are on the brink of another coronation.

A calf injury to Michael Carrick obliged Wayne Rooney to drop into midfield for the visitors, but it was to the United captain that the first chance of the match fell on a warm, sunny afternoon in west London.

From Ashley Young's pass, the over-lapping Luke Shaw cut the ball back for Rooney, but the United number 10 shot's hit the stanchion to the left of the goal and bounced back into the net, fooling the travelling fans at the other end into thinking the deadlock had been broken.

United goalkeeper David de Gea had to toe the ball behind for a corner after Hazard's pass sent Cesc Fabregas scampering into the box, but for most of the first half, the away team looked serene.

With Ander Herrera assuredly anchoring the midfield, Van Gaal's men were finding passing triangles all over the pitch and they demonstrated their confidence when Paddy McNair advanced and saw a shot deflected wide.

An uninformed observer would perhaps have been forgiven for thinking it was United, and not Chelsea, who were on the verge of the title, but seven minutes before half-time, the hosts went in front.

A United move broke down when Radamel Falcao failed to control Chris Smalling's pass and within seconds Chelsea were in, Oscar's back-heel freeing Hazard to motor through and beat De Gea left-footed at the near post.