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'Fantastic' Hazard pleases Chelsea boss Mourinho

‘Fantastic’ Hazard pleases Chelsea boss Mourinho

Jose Mourinho praised “fantastic” Eden Hazard, after the Belgium international’s resilient performance in Chelsea’s 2-0 win against Stoke City on Monday.

The 23-year-old showcased his flair in a fiery contest, but Mourinho admitted it was the winger’s resolve which impressed him most.

Hazard was caught with a scathing tackle by Phil Bardsley early in the match, before going on to assist Cesc Fabregas for his side’s all important second goal 12 minutes from time.

"We played with [John Obi] Mikel and [Nemanja] Matic, so we lost one creative player,” said Mourinho.

"We had that stability in the team, and left to Hazard, Fabregas and Willian the responsibility to create, and they were not afraid to do that.

"They gave their bodies to the game and put themselves in every situation, and I think the kid [Hazard] was fantastic."

He added: "If the tackle on him [Hazard] was a bad one, it was an isolated action.

"Then, after that, it was a difficult fight for the kid - but I think it was also a difficult match for Bardsley, because the kid is playing fantastically."

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