Eden Hazard Setting the Right Agenda for Chelsea in the Title Race
Jose Mourinho's post-match comments after Chelsea's 1-1 draw away to Southampton are sure to echo throughout the rest of the season.
Not one to mince his words, Mourinho was certainly on message after Cesc Fabregas became the latest Chelsea player to be booked for apparent simulation.
It was early in the second half when Fabregas fell in the box under a tackle from Saints' Matt Targett, and Mourinho wasn't happy.
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With the game evenly poised at 1-1, had referee Anthony Taylor awarded the penalty, Chelsea may well have gone on to win the game. Instead, they were forced to settle for a draw.
"In other countries where I worked before, tomorrow in the sports papers it would be a front-page scandal," Mourinho said of the incident to BBC Sport.
"That's a clear campaign... Pundits, commentators, coaches from other teams, they react with Chelsea in a way they don't react to other teams. They put lots of pressure on the referee and the referee makes a mistake like this," he added, suggesting there was an agenda against his team.
Given his continued excellent performances for Chelsea, the only thing top of the agenda right now should be the form of Eden Hazard.
Again, the diminutive Belgian was superb for his team, scoring a vital equalizer on the stroke of half-time.
Come the final whistle, it seemed two points dropped. But then Manchester City slipped up themselves at home to Burnley shortly after, and Chelsea were left counting their draw on the south coast as a good afternoon's work.
It's games like this that will shape the title race, and Hazard continues to be at the heart of things for Chelsea.
With each passing week this season, he shows his immense worth.
Hazard's made no secret of his desire to reach the levels of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and if things continue like they are, it shouldn't be too long before he is held in similar regard.
His equalising goal came from nothing. Fabregas' expertly executed pass put Hazard beyond the Southampton defence, yet he still had much to do to finish off the move.
Out wide, Hazard checked his run inside, beat one defender, then tricked another before firing into the bottom corner.
The pressure to score and get Chelsea back on level terms was significant, although Hazard's impressive composure suggested otherwise.
It was magical.
Unlike many players of his ilk, Hazard is developing a ruthless streak. He has the skill and wily presence any creative midfielder needs, but above all else, there's an end product.
Too many times, we have seen hyped youngsters fail to deliver on their promise, but not Hazard. He's the real deal—far from a fugazi.
Indeed, he personifies this Chelsea side in many ways.
The theory is that expensively assembled teams aren't supposed to come with the spirit needed to dig out results like the draw Chelsea achieved at Southampton. When things aren't going their way, the rich kids are supposed to feel hard done by, throw a tantrum and blame anyone and everyone for their own shortcomings.
Not Chelsea. They battle for everything, and their determination is far removed from the riches that have been bestowed upon them by owner Roman Abramovich.
They were struggling against Southampton—call it Christmas fatigue or simply a bad performance (they do happen)—and things weren't quite right.
The crowd knew it, Mourinho knew it and so, too, did his players. The league leaders fell behind to an early Sadio Mane goal. But that didn't destroy the away side's spirit. It wasn't always pretty, but Chelsea showed enough desire to claw their way back.
And that's Hazard's finest quality.
Costing £32 million from Lille in 2012, he's adapted to English football's culture perfectly. He has the fight Mourinho looks for in players, and he scraps for everything, adding that extra bit of class with his phenomenal skill.
He's dogged, with a determined character, which is why he is one of just four Chelsea players to have featured in every Premier League game this season.
The other three are John Terry, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic—players who, by definition, come with the warrior persona. They are big, physical characters who can run through walls.
Hazard's diminutive frame is deceptive, as he does the same for Chelsea. He may not break those walls down in the way Terry, Cahill and Ivanovic can, but he has enough skill in his repertoire for alternate means when the key doesn't fit the lock.
His displays over Christmas have shown us that. His performance against Southampton confirmed it all the more.
For all the unwanted attention a recent flurry of bookings for simulation has thrown at the club, there is much to admire about this Chelsea team.
Hazard's top of that list.
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
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