Hazard and Giroud combine to lead Chelsea to the top

Chelsea is leading the league after five days, largely thanks to the combination of Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud.

Chelsea is making a perfect start to the Premier League, thanks largely to the efforts of Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud. The two strikers had five goals and seven assists, while Chelsea won their first five campaign matches.

This partnership has been a revelation for Maurizio Sarri's team. The Italian manager brought his fluid attack system from Naples to his success. Hazard seems re-energized by playing with fluidity and rhythm in attack, unlike the years of defensive football under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

Hazard's hat-trick in Chelsea's 4-1 victory over Cardiff on Saturday gave the rest of the Premier League a reminder of his tremendous gifts. His interaction with Giroud, his rhythm and cunning with the ball at his feet are incomparable and after years of lack of elite finish, he puts the ball at the back of the net.

Hazard's five goals are good for the league's lead. It was a busy summer for the Belgian. His team reached the semi-finals of the World Cup and a long-time movement at Real Madrid never materialized, Hazard having seen his compatriot Thibault Courtois leave for the Spanish capital. It is sometimes easy to sleep on the quality and effectiveness of Hazard. The 27-year-old is already a two-time league winner and has been named the Premier League and PFA Player of the Year. If it stays in this form, it is likely to add to those achievements.

The addition of Giroud to Chelsea in January proved to be a good deal. Initially used as a support for Alvaro Morata, the French international usurped the starting position. Giroud's game and the game of hold-up give the Blues a new look at 9, and his selfless attitude helped Hazard and Willian prosper. Giroud deserved his lack of goals, but he has just won a World Cup summer in Russia and played a key role in Chelsea's quick start.

In a league full of hype for Liverpool's top-three and strong Manchester City forward, Harry Kane's exploits and hopes for a strike force at Arsenal, it was easy to ignore Chelsea. Sarri has implemented his flying style faster than almost anyone could have anticipated. Chelsea is leading the goal difference and is at Manchester City level for the most powerful attack. Giroud and Hazard's dynamic duo deserve credit for that.