Eden Hazard enjoyed a dream debut for Chelsea as the Belgium forward helped his new side kick off their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win against Wigan on Sunday.
Hazard set up both Chelsea’s goals within the opening seven minutes at the DW Stadium and the 21-year-old’s dynamic display bodes well for Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo as he tries to overhaul his team’s style of play.
After powerful targetman Didier Drogba moved to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua at the end of last season, Di Matteo plans to implement a more subtle gameplan that relies on the skills of Hazard and Brazil’s Oscar, who made his debut as a 63rd minute substitute for the Belgian.
On this evidence both should prove good additions for the European champions, but it was Hazard who stole the show.
Hazard, who arrived from Lille in June with a hefty 32 million price tag and a reputation as one of Europe’s most astute young playmakers, took less than two minutes to underline his vast potential as he laid on Chelsea’s opening goal with a clever turn and defence-splitting pass to Ivanovic, who rumbled into the penalty area before slotting a low shot past Ali Al Habsi.
Just four minutes later, Hazard tricked his way into space in the penalty area and provoked a despairing challenge from Wigan debutant Ivan Ramis, who conceded a penalty which Frank Lampard drilled under Al Habsi to seal Chelsea’s first win of the season.