Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho rules out Premier League title tilt

Mourinho’s willingness to listen to Hazard should speak to their good relationship as well. Their voicemails and messages have gone unanswered and the player has no intention of trying to force a move.

The victory was also a much needed boost for under-fire manager Jose Mourinho who had overseen three straight league defeats for the first time since owner Roman Abramovich took over the club 12 years ago. Hazard’s drop in form is similar to that of Matic, who is also under pressure to improve or be sold on.

‘He’s the best manager. League leaders Leicester City have double the points and with one-third of the season already done with, the ascent to the top looks increasingly hard.

The Spain forward has come in for growing criticism after struggling to recapture the form he showed during his club’s march to the Premier League title last season. But Mourinho hoped it will prove to be a turning point for the striker.

He said: “We spoke together before the Stoke game”. Once more the relation between how we played and the number of goals we scored wasn’t good. And, against Norwich, it was the same. “The fourth place for me is just not an unattainable mission”. But not because I’m not happy with my players. It doesn’t matter if that’s in the middle or on the flanks’.

“In my case, I’m looking to get the best out of my players”.

“Sometimes you don’t know, you have to keep going”.

Hazard’s disappointing displays this season have been a major factor in Chelsea’s dismal start. I know that. I gave everything – I don’t know why that was. I’m not nervous on the bench but I was a little bit disappointed with the way things went. I want them to feel that I trust them and I won’t need other players to reach our objectives.

Chelsea finally managed to win a Premier League game as Diego Costa ended his seven-match goal drought with his victor against Norwich City. “They were the top team in the country past year, but we just have to hope that slump continues so we can get something out of the match”, Neil said at a press conference. I was feeling it and the gamers have been feeling it too. Maybe the attention is more, but I have to play with this responsibility. “Yes, he can do much better, but again, yes, one goal is very important”. In the second half we should score before the goal, we should score after the goal. But he tried everything. I think we deserve to be enjoying the last three, four minutes with a two, three, 4-0 result, relaxed.