Hiddink sensed Hazard’s return to form

Guus Hiddink said he sensed Eden Hazard was getting his sharpness back prior to Chelsea’s win at Bournemouth.

Back in the side after a five-match lay-off with a hip problem, Hazard scored twice – his first league goals of the campaign – in the Blues’ 4-1 victory.

The Belgian has been criticised for his performances this season, but his performance against the Cherries was a marked improvement.

“We worked for the last 10 days with him with the group, looking at his way of moving, and it was good,” Hiddink explained.

“He was light in his movement, so I said he would start this game and we’ll see how it goes.

“We talked about (Hazard playing) 45 minutes or a bit more, but he was enjoying it so much he could play the whole game.”

Hiddink, who is coming towards the end of his second spell as Chelsea’s interim boss, was delighted with their display.

“We are very pleased with the performance, especially in the second half,” the Dutchman said,

“We could have scored more goals and so could they as it was a very entertaining game.”