Eden Hazard had some remarkable performances during his memorable career, including one specific Chelsea display against Sunderland.
Without a doubt, Eden Hazard sits at the top table as a Chelsea legend for what he achieved at Stamford Bridge between 2012 and 2019. It was his individual brilliance with the ball at his feet that captured the imagination of supporters.
On 4 December 2013, the Blues secured a dramatic 4-3 away win at Sunderland in the Premier League.
It was a game in which Hazard stole the headlines.
First of all, the Belgian attacker produced a superb cross to assist a trademark Frank Lampard goal. Afterwards, Hazard scored two goals himself, the first a special low finish from the edge of the box, followed by an individual effort after dribbling into the box.
Hazard, who’s on Cole Palmer’s Premier League Mount Rushmore, had plenty of matches where he swung the result in his team’s favour.
After the left-winger’s masterclass against Sunderland, Jose Mourinho, who was Chelsea’s manager at the time, had plenty to say.
Chelsea star Eden Hazard dribbling away from Sunderland players in a Premier League match.
Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP via Getty Images
Jose Mourinho couldn’t resist singling out Eden Hazard for Chelsea performance
During his post-match interview for Sunderland against Chelsea in December 2013, Mourinho explained he doesn’t like shining the light on one individual for their contribution to a match. However, he had no choice but to speak about Hazard’s brilliance after the game in the 2013-14 season.
Mourinho said via The Guardian: “We were creative and dynamic when we had the ball – and we had a special Hazard. Normally I don’t like to praise a player but from the first minute Eden was amazing. He has a great talent but sometimes he does incredible things then disappears from the game. Tonight he was fantastic from the first to the last minute.”
“Last season he did something similar but to my mind this was his best performance for me. He was taking on defenders and shooting. Sometimes he creates a lot and doesn’t shoot, but tonight his performance was fantastic.”
Eden Hazard shooting and scoring for Chelsea agains Sunderland in the Premier League.
Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images
What Gus Poyet said about Eden Hazard after tormenting his team
In the opposition dugout, Gus Poyet was the Sunderland manager at the time during the 4-3 defeat to Chelsea. Even he couldn’t help praise Hazard after his contribution to the contest.
Poyet said in his post-match interview via The Guardian: “Hazard was unplayable. I can’t remember a player performing at that level against me as a manager. We doubled up and tripled up on him.”
As mentioned above, opponents would regularly put extra players on Hazard to mark him, something which wasn’t always enough to stop him dribbling through teams. It also freed up extra space for his teammates, too.
In Chelsea’s history, Hazard’s £32m transfer fee makes him one of their best-ever bargain signings.