Eden Hazard has started to hit the heights he had reached last season during Chelsea‘s triumphant march to the Premier League title, and an away date at Anfield was the perfect stage for him to put on a show.
He looked every bit the superstar he’s become in a twinkle-toed display for the visitors, as he tormented the Liverpool defence throughout and set up Chelsea’s late equaliser in the 1-1 draw.
Here’s a look at the Belgian’s performance in the game…
BASIC STATS
Goals – 0
Assists – 1
Shots – 1
Shots on target – `
Pass accuracy – 89%
Key Passes – 5
Dribbles – 9
EFFECTIVENESS
Hazard was easily Chelsea’s best player, especially in a first half where the champions were dominant despite being the away side. At times, he looked miles ahead of any other player on the pitch, including his Liverpool counterpart Mohamed Salah.
He faded a little bit in the second half but was still the biggest attacking threat. And it was he who found Willian for Chelsea’s goal; Willian’s mishit cross ended up in the back of the net, giving Hazard an assist.
Hazard’s runs tormented Liverpool’s midfield and defence the entire game.
KEY MOMENTS
21st min, SHOT: Chelsea hit Liverpool with a quick counter-attack, and the ball came to Hazard on the left. From there on, everyone knew what was going to happen: the Belgian cut in, beat a defender, and unleashed a thumping strike. Thankfully for most of the watching crowd at Anfield, Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet was able to push the shot around the post for a corner.
23 min, CHANCE: Hazard went on a trademark run and nearly created the opening goal. Picking up the ball in the middle of the pitch, he ran at the Liverpool area before teeing up Danny Drinkwater with a perfect pass through Liverpool’s defence. Mignolet again came to his side’s rescue, putting enough pressure on Drinkwater to deny Hazard a brilliant assist.
85th min, ASSIST: Hazard played a square pass to set Willian up to put in a cross for either Alvaro Morata or Hazard himself. As it was, the Brazilian’s cross was mishit, but it ended up being a perfect mistake as it sailed over Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and into the goal.
VERDICT: 8/10
Hazard had a slow start to the season by his standards, largely because he was injured and then needed time to reach full match fitness, but his display at Anfield showed he’s back to his best.
There were times when he was far and away the best player on the pitch, although Salah had something to say about that by the end of the game. With a little more cutting edge from Chelsea, Hazard could have had more than the one assist he ended up with it, and he could even have ended up on the scoresheet himself. As it was, this was another dazzling performance in a tough away game for Chelsea.
