Eden
Hazard believes Chelsea can repeat their surprise victory over Manchester
City when the sides meet again next week.
The Blues responded from the humiliating 4-0 loss at Bournemouth - their
worst league defeat in over 22 years - by beating Huddersfield 5-0 at
Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Hazard scored twice to take his season's tally to 15, while Gonzalo Higuain
netted a brace for his first goals for Chelsea, who travel to the Etihad
Stadium next Sunday.
Chelsea have lost five of their last 13 Premier League games, but one of the
wins in that period was the December 8 defeat of City, which came as a
surprise to Pep Guardiola's men, who had been unbeaten in their 21 previous
games.
"It's going to be a different game than two or three months ago," Hazard
told Chelsea TV.
"I think they will have the ball. City have these kind of players to play
together.
"We will defend well and then we will score one goal or two."
The City match is the first of a difficult run, which includes the February
24 Carabao Cup final against the same opponents.
Chelsea also face Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round on February
18, either side of Europa League last-32 legs with Malmo of Sweden, and then
clash with Tottenham in the Premier League after the Wembley final.
"We need to be focused," Hazard said.
"This month is going to be hard, but we are Chelsea. We can beat everyone if
we want."
On-loan Juventus striker Higuain and Hazard teamed up for the first time at
Bournemouth, but there was far greater optimism following the win over
Huddersfield.
Higuain scored 36 goals in 35 Serie A games when he played under Chelsea
boss Maurizio Sarri at Napoli in 2015-16.
Hazard added: "He's a great striker. He's a bit less of a target man than
(Olivier) Giroud, but he can hold the ball, he can play one touches. He's
intelligent.
"In the box he's unbelievable. He will score more goals."
top