Lampard lauds ´brilliant´ Hazard

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has praised Eden Hazard after the Belgian inspired his team’s 2-0 win over Wigan on Sunday.

Lampard scored a penalty won by Hazard after a good forward run and the former Lille man also provided an assist when he played in Branislav Ivanovic for Chelsea’s opening goal at DW Stadium.

And the 34-year-old, who captained England in their mid-week win over Italy, felt 21-year-old Hazard was key to the comfortable victory for Roberto Di Matteo’s side.

“(He was) brilliant. It’s not easy at a young age to come into the Premier League no matter how good a player you are,” he told Sky Sports.

“You saw the quality he brought there with the little spin and putting Ivanovic through and then the speed to get away from his man for the penalty. That’s something that I know Chelsea fans are crying out to see and it’s great to play with him.

“You always want to get a win on the opening day and I think coming here, the way they finished the season last year it was a very tough game and we started very well, through this man (Hazard) mainly and it was great football.

“After that it was a pretty even game, it was tough but we always had that lead.”

Defender Ivanovic is not best known for his rampaging runs forward, but Lampard said it was no surprise to him to see the Serbian in an advanced position.

“Branislav’s got the legs and the pace to get up there and he’s always eager to do that. The link, the turn and the pace, was what made that goal,” Lampard said.

Hazard, who joined the Blues for 32 million pounds this year after long and protracted negotiations, admitted his delight to secure a win on his debut.

He said: “Yes I’m very happy. My first game, a win, it’s OK.”