Frustrated Eden Hazard says Chelsea tactics did not play to their strengths after defeat at Manchester City

Striking comments | Hazard endured a frustrating day up front for Chelsea
EPA/Peter Powell
Simon Johnson5 March 2018

Eden Hazard believes Chelsea ‘did not play to their strengths’ after cutting a frustrated figure in their 1-0 defeat at Manchester City.

Chelsea's best player was reduced to just harrying Manchester City players in possession and trying to out-jump towering defenders as long balls were launched from the back.

Hazard's obvious dejection over what had transpired was reflected in his post-match comments.

“When you leave the pitch you have the impression that you’ve ran, but that you haven’t played a game of football. That’s a pity," he told members of the Belgian media after game.

In Pictures | Manchester City vs Chelsea | 04/03/2018

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"We could have played on for three hours, and I wouldn’t touch a ball. Only at the end it went better: in the last 10-15 minutes we had more possession. But we should have tried to do that all game.”

“I try to jump towards the long balls. I played today against Nicolas Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte. It’s not easy to win duels against them.

"We haven’t played with our qualities. If Giroud or Alvaro Morata would have played upfront, it would have been easier to play those long balls. With me, its a little bit more complicated, but I’ve tried to give my best.”

Defeat at the Etihad Stadium sees Chelsea trail fourth-place Tottenham by five points, and third-placed Manchester United by six.

EPL Table | Premier League 2017-18 season standings

Pos Team P W D L GD Pts
1 Man City 29 25 3 1 63 78
2 Liverpool 29 17 9 3 35 60
3 Man United 28 18 5 5 33 59
4 Tottenham 29 17 7 5 31 58
5 Chelsea 29 16 5 8 24 53
6 Arsenal 29 13 6 10 11 45
7 Burnley 29 10 10 9 -2 40
8 Leicester 29 9 10 10 -1 37
9 Watford 29 10 6 13 -8 36
10 Brighton 29 8 10 11 -10 34
11 Everton 29 9 7 13 -16 34
12 Bournemouth 29 8 9 12 -10 33
13 Swansea 29 8 6 15 -17 30
14 West Ham 29 7 9 13 -18 30
15 Huddersfield 29 8 6 15 -25 30
16 Newcastle 29 7 8 13 -13 29
17 Southampton 29 5 13 11 -12 28
18 Crystal Palace 28 6 9 13 -18 27
19 Stoke 29 6 9 14 -26 27
20 West Brom 29 3 11 15 -21 20

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