Analysing Eden Hazard’s match-winning performance for Chelsea against Manchester City

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If there’s ever a man for the big occasion this season, that man has been Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.

Since May 2016, the 26-year-old midfielder has scored nine goals against fellow top-seven sides in the Premier League, scoring at least once against all of the six teams below the Blues in the league.

Last night was no exception, with the Belgian stepping up to the plate once more and masterminding a testing victory for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, scoring twice as City’s slim title hopes diminished.

From the very first whistle Hazard was exemplary on the pitch, urging his side forward in attack and utilising his trickery, quick feet and vision to help his side counter with pace and with efficiency.

Such was Antonio Conte’s tactics, he allowed his side to give the visitors the majority of possession for most of the match, instead choosing to hit Pep Guardiola’s side on the break and use the likes of Hazard, Pedro and N’Golo Kante to tear down on a Manchester City goal with little midfield protection.

This style of play suited Hazard to perfection and it showed, with the Belgian making four interceptions in midfield, creating three clear chances and completing four take-ons in the City half.

Although he will most certainly score prettier goals throughout his career, and there was an element of fortune about both of his goals last night, he won’t care; in the big matches it’s all about being in the right place at the right time and his deflected opener epitomised his natural sense of positioning.

His double – the second a rebound after missing his initial penalty – took his total for the season to 13 goals including 10 at Stamford Bridge, more than any other player in the Chelsea side.

Last night’s performance also meant that he’s the first player since 2008 to score both home and away against Manchester City, just highlighting how much of a constant thorn he’s been in their side.

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With Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany returning from injury and John Stones having an underwhelming first season at the Etihad, Hazard would have known he could target a back-line short on confidence and he did this excellently, proving to be a nightmare for Stones all evening.

On one occasion Hazard’s class proved too much for the ex-Everton centre-back, having his back to Stones before turning, accelerating past and leaving him for dead; almost a Hazard trademark move.

With Chelsea’s gap at the top remaining at seven points after Tottenham’s late, late show at Swansea, the title isn’t quite secured just yet – especially with Manchester United still to play away.

Yet the Blues’ ability to grind out the result last night in tough circumstances against a spirited Manchester City side spoke volumes about their season, and should give the side enough confidence and determination to push through the final eight games of the season and get over the line.

One thing that’s for sure is that, if they do claim the title, then Antonio Conte and the rest of the squad will be indebted to Eden Hazard for the exceptional season that he’s had at Stamford Bridge.

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