Football
Jack Rathborn, Transfer writer 8y

Antonio Conte praises Eden Hazard as Chelsea stay perfect

LONDON -- Antonio Conte lavished praise on Eden Hazard after his performance inspired Chelsea to a 3-0 win over Burnley that saw them make it three wins from three in the Premier League.

Hazard was exceptional and set Chelsea on their way to victory with a superb opening goal as he raced from his own half before sending an exquisite finish into the bottom right corner.

The Belgium international was also involved as Willian's strike doubled the advantage before Victor Moses added a late third from fellow substitute Pedro Rodriguez's cross.

"I'm pleased for him, but also for Pedro as a winger," Conte told reporters after the game. "These are players with great talent, fantastic in one versus one.

"When you have these players with great talent, it's good for me to put them in the best condition to excite with this talent. Eden is a fantastic player, working very well with a great attitude. After the first day, I saw this.

"His will to work and improve and find a good shape very soon, but I can also tell that his performance can improve. I'm pleased with his commitment and work-rate."

After Chelsea's turbulent title defence last term, Conte is relieved that positive results have quickly arrived to support his new ideas, with the Blues going top of the table with three wins from three.

"For me it's important to start in a good way," Conte said. "It's important, above all, for the work of the players.

"Usually when a new manager arrives and brings his idea of football, his methodology of football and new ideas to play football, you can have good ideas but it's important to have good results also.

"To increase the confidence of the players in you. To start in a good way is good for me."

Burnley struggled early on and, after Hazard had broken the deadlock, N'Golo Kante's snappy challenges and swift distribution ensured wave after wave of attack followed.

It was a reality check for Sean Dyche after their shock 2-0 win against Liverpool last week but the Clarets boss said their own mistakes left them with little hope.

"When the whistle blows you want to be ready to perform but we weren't," Dyche said. "We didn't perform well in the first half and you cannot do that.

"Add in some really poor decisions against a very strong side then you're going to be in trouble and we were.

"We gave the ball away awfully. There were too many poor decisions. We gave away the ball for the second goal, Tom Heaton rolls it out and there was no need. It put us under pressure.

"You can't make bad decisions like that against teams like this."

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