London: Eden Hazard sent Chelsea top of the Premier League by netting his first hat-trick for the club to produce a routine 3-0 victory over struggling Newcastle on Saturday.
The Belgium winger netted twice in seven-minutes, during an eye-catching attacking spell in the first-half. He added a third from the penalty spot after the break.
Jose Mourinho's side seized on deposed leader Arsenal being humiliated 5-1 at Liverpool, and Manchester City being held 0-0 at Norwich, to move to the summit.
Newcastle endured another miserable day, slumping to their fifth loss in seven league games, although the north-east side remains eighth in the standings.
In another match, Stoke City came from behind twice to draw 2-2 away to Southampton. Saints striker Ricky Lambert gave the hosts a sixth-minute lead when he curled home a free kick for his eighth league goal of the season.
Stoke equalized in the 38th when new signing Peter Odemwingie raced onto Charlie Adam's throughball before beating goalkeeper Artur Boruc. However the home side restored its advantage in the 41st when Steven Davis' left-footed cross found its way into the corner of Asmir Begovic's net.
Former Saints player Peter Crouch leveled the scoring, when he converted from close range in the 44th after another impressive delivery from Adam.
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