Sunderland 3 Chelsea 4: Jose Mourinho hails ‘amazing’ Eden Hazard

Jose Mourinho heaped praise on the “amazing” Eden Hazard after the midfielder’s sparkling performance in a thrilling victory over Sunderland.

Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore scored a 14th-minute opener, before Frank Lampard levelled and Hazard put the Blues ahead with a delicious curling effort past Vito Mannone.

Normally I don’t like to praise a particular player but I have to do it because Eden was amazing

Jose Mourinho

However, John O’Shea drew the Black Cats level in the 50th minute but Hazard scored his second of the night to restore Chelsea’s two-goal cushion at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley experienced a topsy-turvy final six minutes as put the ball past his own goalkeeper before beating Petr Cech to ensure Chelsea had a nervy end to the clash.

“It was by far our best performance away from home,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.

“We played fantastic football. We created, we had the ball, we were dynamic. We had a special Hazard but also Mata and Willian in front of our midfield played a fantastic match.

“We played very well defensively. We had no problems with the control of the game bu we conceded three ridiculous goals.

“When you play so well and score four away from home you have to win. We were in trouble until the last second because we conceded three in the same match.”

Despite conceding three goals, Mourinho was pleased with Chelsea’s defensive performance on Wednesday night after their troubles on the road this season.

“It’s very difficult to play away from home and to create so much and to score so many goals,” he said. “It’s difficult to do.

“The fact is that I can’t even blame the defensive game of the team. We defended really well.”

He continued: “The performance was fantastic collectively and some individual performances very good.

“Normally I don’t like to praise a particular player but I have to do it because Eden was amazing.”