Jan 17, 2018 at 7.45pm UK at ​Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 39,684
Chelsea
1-1
NorwichNorwich City
Chelsea win 5-3 on penalties
Batshuayi (55')
Pedro (62'), Willian (92'), Morata (120')
Pedro (117'), Morata (120')
FT
(aet)
Lewis (90')
Maddison (97')

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte: 'I try to protect Eden Hazard'

Conte: 'I try to protect Hazard'
© Offside
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte suggests that he will continue to do what he feels necessary in order to maintain the fitness of Eden Hazard.

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has defended his decision to continue to substitute Eden Hazard.

Since December 9, Hazard has completed 90 minutes on just one occasion, and Conte's stance was further highlighted on Saturday afternoon when the Belgian international only lasted an hour against Leicester City.

However, Conte has insisted that he will continue to do what is best for the winger, with Hazard having missed pre-season due to a fractured ankle.

At a press conference, the 48-year-old said: "We are talking about a player that recently had a bad injury in his ankle, surgery as well. When you have this type of situation you have to manage this situation. He missed pre-season with us. We are trying to find the best way and it is normal that one player can keep the top of the form.

"My task is to improve him and try to take the best decision for the team for the game, not just him. I am the coach, I decide. It is not important if the player is happy, only here there it is this habit.

"It is not important. My first target is to do my best for the player and the team, not keep players happy."

Hazard is still expected to play some part of Chelsea's FA Cup third round replay with Norwich City on Wednesday night.

Gary Cahill is forced off with an apparent hamstring problem during the Premier League game between Chelsea and Leicester City on January 13, 2018
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City24212170185265
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd24165349163353
3Chelsea24155445162950
4Liverpool23138254282647
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs24136547222545
6Arsenal24126645311442
7Leicester CityLeicester249783632434
8Burnley249781921-234
9Everton2477102639-1328
10Watford2475123344-1126
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham2468103042-1226
12Bournemouth2467112536-1125
13Crystal Palace2467112237-1525
14Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2466121941-2224
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2465132234-1223
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2458111733-1623
17Stoke CityStoke2465132550-2523
18Southampton24410102435-1122
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom24311101931-1220
20Swansea CitySwansea2345141435-2117
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