Di Matteo hails ´outstanding´ Hazard

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo praised the performance of new signing Eden Hazard after his side’s Premier League win over Wigan.

A Frank Lampard penalty and a goal from Branislav Ivanovic secured the 2-0 victory at DW Stadium but it was the performance of Belgian international Hazard which delighted Di Matteo most.

Hazard won the penalty which Lampard scored from following a fine run into the area, and also laid on the pass for Ivanovic who had made a rampaging run forward from right back.

When asked about Hazard’s debut performance, Di Matteo told Sky Sports: “He was outstanding. He produced a lot of quality within this game and was always a threat. Difficult to mark, got away from his man. It was very pleasant to watch him today.”

Midway through the second half Hazard was replaced by Brazilian Oscar for his debut and Di Matteo thought the former Internacional man showed some glimpses of why the Blues decided to invest in him.

“It’s going to take a little bit of time,” he said. “It’s only our first game and Oscar has only been with us two days really so we need a little bit of time to work them all into our team and integrate them.”

The Blues had the game as good as sewn up by half-time after their Hazard-inspired first-half showing, and Di Matteo was delighted by the way his side performed.

“We had a very bright start and sometimes you don’t score the goals so early on but it was perfect today that we managed to score the two goals early on. I think that that settled a lot of nerves,” the Italian said.

“We prepared for the game and the team and we were looking for a good start. It doesn’t always happen but I think today they responded very well.”