Belgian winger Eden Hazard, who was undoubtedly the Premier League’s best player this season, spoke after Chelsea clinched the Premier League title with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
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Hazard scored the game’s only goal on a thunderbolt after being played in by a beautiful back-heel from Willian. After the match, he was a smiling yet humble man who gave credit to his teammates and manager.
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“He [Jose Mourinho] gives me a lot of minutes, and he lets me play,” Hazard said during the celebrations. “I can play my best football when I’m on the pitch. The team needs players like me, like Willian, and we try to score and change the game.”
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His goal today wasn’t his prettiest, but it still counted. After being hauled down in the 18-yard box by James McArthur, he took the penalty poorly and Julian Speroni saved it. But the rebound bounced straight back up to him, and he headed it home accurately into the far corner for just his third headed goal of the season. “I know with my head I’m not good, but I tried to put the ball inside, and it was good,” Hazard said before adding “Lucky, lucky” with a big smile on his face.