MX23RW : Thursday, January 12 23:14:55| >> :60:68:68:
[monks data]
Mar 1, 2014 at 3pm UK at Craven Cottage

1-3

Heitinga (74')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Schurrle (52', 65', 69')

Andre Schurrle scores hat-trick as Chelsea defeat Fulham

Andre Schurrle scores all three goals for Chelsea as they see off their West London neighbours Fulham to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Andre Schurrle scored a hat-trick for Chelsea as the league leaders blew away their West London neighbours Fulham to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Andre Schurrle of Chelsea celebrates as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage on March 1, 2014© Getty Images

Rockbottom Fulham began well and had an opening inside the first five minutes when Pajtim Kasami showed good strength to fend off Branislav Ivanovic before curling over a cross for Clint Dempsey, but the American couldn't get a good touch on the header.

Fernando Torres had Chelsea's first chance 10 minutes later when he charged down Maarten Stekelenburg's kick but couldn't beat the Dutch keeper from the loose ball.

Torres again tested Stekelenburg just before half time when his powerful half-volley from a narrow angle was tipped over the top.

Although they may have looked a little tired in the first half, Chelsea appeared much more like league leaders in the second as Schurrle inspired them to victory with a 17-minute hat-trick.

Chelsea's German striker Andre Schurrle celebrates scoring his third goal to complete his hattrick during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage in London on March 1, 2014© Getty Images

The German broke the deadlock seven minutes after half time by running onto Eden Hazard's pass and finishing coolly past Stekelenburg.

Hazard was again provider seven minutes later as he found the run of Schurrle, who once more proved deadly in front of goal.

His treble was completed in the 69th minute, this time collecting a Torres pass before tucking home.

Fulham scored a consolation goal five minutes later when John Heitinga prodded home after the visitors had failed to deal with a corner.

Chelsea now lead the way by four points because of Arsenal's defeat at Stoke City, while Fulham remain four points adrift of safety.

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Scott Parker of Fulham holds off Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage on March 1, 2014
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal17142140142644
2Manchester CityMan City17123245162939
3Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1898132112135
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd1711242720735
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs18103537251233
6Fulham199463228431
7Liverpool1784534221228
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton178363225727
9Brentford186843028226
10Chelsea187472121025
11Aston Villa186482026-622
12Crystal Palace176471725-822
13Leicester CityLeicester1852112631-517
14Leeds UnitedLeeds174582531-617
15Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest184591334-2117
16Bournemouth1844101839-2116
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham1843111524-915
18Everton183691424-1015
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1835101127-1614
20Southampton1833121533-1812

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