Eden Hazard says some of Chelsea’s rivals are beaten before kick-off

Eden Hazard believes Chelsea have rediscovered their fear factor at Stamford Bridge and that home form will be key to them clinching the title this season.

Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Arsenal this month was their 11th successive victory in all competitions on their own ground and helped ensure they stay eight points clear in first place. The only time they have not won at home this term was when Liverpool beat them in mid-September.

It is in stark contrast to last season where they won just one League game at the Bridge in five months under interim manager Guus Hiddink and five at home in the top flight overall.

Hazard told Standard Sport: “Yes, it’s significant. It’s difficult for the opponent to come here and win games. Do I get that feeling that some teams are beaten before kick-off? Yes. We are playing better than last season.

“It’s a little like two years ago when we won the League,” he said. “I remember the second part of the season back then: sometimes the team didn’t play well, but we always scored at least one goal and Thibaut Courtois would make at least one good save, like against Arsenal.

“We are in full confidence here on this pitch. You know the fans bring everything, they support us.

“I remember against Tottenham [the 2-1 win] earlier in the season when they scored, but the supporters kept going, they kept singing. It’s great and we feel very good on this pitch. We know everything can happen in football, but we have self-belief and that is very important in football.”

Chelsea have 13 League games to go, with seven of those matches at Stamford Bridge. Such is their dominance in SW6, Hazard hopes it will take the pressure off them to get results away.

He added: “We are also good away from home, that’s why we are first in the table. But obviously it’s a completely different challenge when you play at home compared to away.

“We just need to keep the same concentration. It’s more difficult to play away because of the fans, but we are ready, we are professional. We can deal with the pressure. Everything is going good.

“We know if we want to be champions, in our home stadium we have to win most of our games. We can’t say all 19 because we have already lost to Liverpool, but we have to win 16 to 17 because it’s our place. We are ready to deliver.”

The Belgian’s superb goal against Arsenal is still the talk of the Premier League. But asked if he spent any time rewatching the strike, he replied: “No, I was at home with my kids. I just enjoyed the rest of my Saturday and the other days were the same.”