I haven't lost my magic touch: Hazard

Published September 22, 2015
Eden Hazard — AFP
Eden Hazard — AFP

Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard is convinced he has not lost his magic touch that was on full display last season and is taking confidence from his goal against Arsenal as he seeks to rediscover the same form this campaign.

The Belgium international's 14 goals helped Chelsea become the English champions for the fifth time last season, besides earning him England's Footballer of the Year and the Players' Player of the Year awards.

The goals have, however, dried up this season for the 24-year-old who failed to find the back of the net in first five league games and scored a deflected goal in stoppage time in Saturday's 2-0 win against Arsenal.

“I am feeling good. Last year I had a good season. I have not lost my quality,” Hazard told the club website (www.chelseafc.com).

“I had a good game and scored a goal with a bit of luck, but that will be good for my confidence,” he said.

Hazard was equally happy that Chelsea had arrested their league slump with their second win in six games.

“After the complicated start to the season we've had we had to win against a good team,” he said.

“We won during the week as well and the confidence was close (to being fully restored). We deserved to win the match.”

The bad-tempered Premier League derby at Stamford Bridge saw Chelsea striker Diego Costa being charged with “act of violent conduct” after television replays showed him catching Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny with his arm.

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas said Costa remained popular with the fans as well as his team mates. “He's very competitive; it's good, he's hungry for success and to win all the time,” the former Arsenal captain said.

“You can see the fans love him as well, they get behind him all the time so it's great for us,” he added.

Opinion

Editorial

Slow start
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Slow start

Despite high attendance, the NA managed to pass only a single money bill during this period.
Sindh lawlessness
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Sindh lawlessness

A recently released report describes the law and order situation in Karachi as “worryingly poor”.
Punjab budget
15 Jun, 2024

Punjab budget

PUNJAB’S budget for 2024-25 provides much fodder to those who believe that the increased provincial share from the...
Budget and politics
Updated 14 Jun, 2024

Budget and politics

PML-N, scared of taking bold steps lest it loses whatever little public support it has, has left its traditional support — traders — virtually untouched.
New talks?
14 Jun, 2024

New talks?

WILL this prove another false start, or may we expect a more sincere effort this time? Reference is made to the...
A non-starter
14 Jun, 2024

A non-starter

WHILE the UN Security Council had earlier this week adopted a US-backed resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza...