Referee Craig Pawson rejected three penalty appeals – two from Chelsea, one from Norwich – in the first half, with replays justifying the decisions.
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But, when asked if there was an issue with the manager, Hazard said: “I heard a lot of things about this but no, everything is good with him”. “It was important for him”.
“If he did not score, it would be a big 50 kilo on his back”, Mourinho said, “but he scored and he could breathe easy”.
“We did and I played a very good game in the cup at Stoke”.
Costa improved after his goal and he stayed out of trouble all day.
“He’s not responding, basically, to provocations”. Eden Hazard was devastating while Nemanja Matic dominated in midfield like it was 2014.
No matter how badly they’re performing or where they are in the table, Chelsea and Mourinho are always going to be associated with the title race.
It was their second win in seven matches.
“Anyone who has been to the games and watched the last five, six games has seen the performances have been there”, Terry added. When they came with four we knew what we had to do.
However, should he waste a similar golden chance next week against Manchester United at the King Power Stadium, you doubt he would be able to be so compassionate on himself. Sometimes he was simply not where he should have been. But the Canaries dithered and allowed Cesc Fabregas, who still looks a few way short of his best, to chip through to an alert Costa. Costa, at least, seemed at peace, reaching his hand out towards Bassong after one tangle but the crowd groaned when another cross went across the box.
Under normal circumstances, Mourinho would have attended the post-match presser in high spirits, boastful of his side’s show and humorous on his analysis of the match, or in most cases hit out at their opponents for “not playing football”.
Prior to his goal, the former had been an issue too; Costa should have settled Chelsea nerves in the 25th minute when he sidefooted a sharp Pedro cutback well over.
For all that they were pegged back as the first half progressed, Norwich retained a threat. The defender said: “We’re delighted to win”.
When the final whistle went, the crowd roared with relief.
Chelsea have been linked with the likes of Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Juventus’ Paul Pogba in the past in moves which would take breathtaking transfer sums.
And the Belgium worldwide believes a change in position has been needed to get the best out of him.
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Jose Mourinho says Chelsea’s miserable Premier League title defence means he has no right to demand transfer activity in January – but he would accept a superstar signing.
