Classy Hazard an instant hit for Chelsea

Eden Hazard showed why Chelsea persisted with his constant flirting with clubs across the continent as the Belgian started life in England in superb fashion.

The Belgian international, who joined Chelsea from Lille for £32m after months of speculation regarding his future, got his career in the Premier League off to a flying start as he set-up Branislav Ivanovic’s opener and won a penalty for Frank Lampard within seven minutes.

That brought out a host of robust challenges on Hazard as Wigan looked to slow him down – but Di Matteo was not concerned.

“With these kind of players they are difficult player to mark, their movement is very good and is good on the ball,” he said. “I don’t think teams will try to hurt him I think it is just going to be matter of the game.”

It took Hazard just two minutes to arrive in English football, his exquisite turn halfway into Wigan’s half allowed him the space to find the marauding Branislav Ivanovic who had burst into the area from his right-back position before slotting past Wigan keeper Ali Al-Habsi.

While Hazard’s brilliance was the highlight of the goal, the horrendous error of Wigan debutant Ivan Ramis could not be overlooked as the Spaniard was drawn to the Belgian before falling for his trickery and leaving Ivanovic with acres of space.

It got worse for Ramis and better for Hazard five minutes later when the Chelsea man weaved some more magic in the area that had the Wigan defender in knots before he put in a clumsy challenge that sent Hazard into the air and referee Mike Jones’ finger towards the spot.

Frank Lampard, as ever, calmly tucked away the spot kick. A man for first days is the England midfielder, having now scored seven goals in season openers.

Di Matteo was full of praise for his new recruit Hazard.

“He showed all his quality, he was outstanding,” he said. “Combined well with his team-mates and he’s got great technical ability, he’s got a burst of pace as well. He’s got a lot of characteristics that we need.”

If Wigan had any chance of getting back in the game they needed to stop Hazard but that could not condone the robust nature of Gary Caldwell’s challenge moments after Lampard’s penalty.

The Scotsman almost went through the Belgian for a shortcut as he sent him to the floor in pain. Caldwell deservedly was given a yellow for his offence, on another day it could have been more.

Franco Di Santo managed a looping header that beat Petr Cech and the crossbar before the Chelsea goalkeeper almost handled outside of the area under pressure moments later.

Victor Moses, a Chelsea target, began to show why Wigan want £10m for his services as he threatened down the right before firing a low shot that Cech had to parry wide of his goal.

Moses’ showing brought a cheeky response from the Chelsea fans who sang “We’ll see you next week” to the want-away midfielder.

But Wigan boss Martinez was less cheerful on the situation as he demanded the Premier League change their rules and close the transfer window before the season starts as his player was concerned about playing before the game.

He said: “You could go through every dressing room and see some uncertainty with players who want to be moved on. I don’t understand why we put our players through this situation.

“The transfer window is a fantastic part of our game but the transfer window should close before the season starts. It’s disrespectful to fans who pay money and it’s unfair on the human side of the players.

“It’s unfair to ask any player to cope with the mental part of the game. This is league is the best in the world but we should look after our players – it is very demanding on them.”

Fernando Torres showed his lack of confidence in front of goal again after the break with a tame effort half blocked by Al-Habsi before Ramis cleared off the line.

Hazard’s day came to an end just after the hour mark, with Oscar, a £25m signing, hardly a weaker replacement who fired just wide soon after coming off the bench.

Wigan’s new signing Arouna Kone came off the bench but he and fellow sub Gomez squandered late chances that would have given the hosts a glimmer of hope.

WIGAN (5-2-2-1): Al Habsi 6; Figueroa 5, Ramis 3, Caldwell 6, Alcaraz 6, Boyce 5; McCarthy 7, McArthur 7 (Watson 80); Moses 8, Maloney 7 (Gomez 49 6); Di Santo 6 (Kone 67 5).

Subs not used: Pollitt, Jones, Crusat, Boselli.

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Cech 6; Ivanovic 7, Luiz 6, Terry 6, Cole 6; Lampard 7, Mikel 6; Hazard 9 (Oscar 64 7), Mata 8 (Meireles 82), Bertrand 7; Torres 6.

Subs not used: Turnbull, Essien, Meireles, Ferreira, Sturridge, Cahill.