Hazard needs to find his ‘rhythm’ – Hiddink

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink said Eden Hazard still needs a run of games to find his “rhythm” despite the Belgian starring in Chelsea’s emphatic 5-1 FA Cup win against MK Dons.

Hazard scored his first goal of a miserable season from the penalty spot, teed up the fifth goal for Bertrand Traore, hit the post and also set up countless other chances.

Hiddink was glad Hazard was given the chance to grab his first goal in his 29th game this season from the spot, even though Oscar is the normal penalty taker.

“With the hierarchy of the penalties Oscar is the first, but they gave him this penalty so it is good for him to score,” the Dutchman said.

“He has had a difficult time with injuries. He is coming back now after a long absence and he needs the rhythm of these games.

“He had more than an hour to get this rhythm and that is important for the upcoming multitude of games.”

And Hiddink, whose side remain unbeaten from his eight matches in charge, with four wins and four draws, was extremely satisfied with their professional performance at Stadium:MK.

“We have to take in to consideration that we played a team from the lower league but we can be happy with the performance,” he said.

“In the first 20 minutes we showed the ambition to try to finish it off rather early. The only thing is we forgot to score. We scored in the end but they got an equaliser. But the reaction of the team was good.

“What I like very much is the commitment of the team to make a very good performance.”

And Hiddink said the fifth-round tie at home against Manchester City would be like a “final”.

He added: “Against Man City, it is a huge game.”