Terry: Chelsea must give Hazard the support he deserves

Eden Hazard back in the goals, Diego Costa causing chaos up front, and the manager stealing the headlines – Chelsea’s opening victory over West Ham was a reminder of life at Stamford Bridge before last season’s baffling loss of form.

An 89th-minute strike against the Blues’ fierce London rivals handed new manager Antonio Conte an opening 2-1 win in the Premier League, and the Italian certainly celebrated in flamboyant style as he charged up the touchline.

Costa was the match-winner for Chelsea – although the Hammers felt aggrieved the controversial striker was still on the pitch after his late challenge on goalkeeper Adrian – but skipper John Terry’s praise was reserved for man-of-the-match Hazard.

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Hazard, a player who looked nothing like the 2014/15 FWA Footballer of the Year and PFA Players’ Player of the Year for most of last term, smashed a penalty into the roof of the net to give his side the lead and terrorised West Ham’s back four throughout.

And Terry admitted that while the Blues cannot afford to place all their eggs in Hazard’s basket, it was great to see the Belgian back to his lethal best.

‘He’s up there with the very best in the world for me,” he said. “We relied on him too much last season and he can’t do it all on his own even though he almost does.

“He’s a world class player and we’re very lucky to have him.

“It was very important to get off to a good start. The way we started and ended last season wasn’t good enough by our own standards.

“We said before the game that whether we won lost or drew that was the type of fight and commitment we want from everyone.

“We dug in, it was a big London derby and it means a lot to players and supporters. It was great for the management to get off to a good start as well.”