Chelsea still needs time - Di Matteo

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

Roberto di Matteo admitted his Chelsea side remains a work in progress after they needed a controversial Fernando Torres goal to secure victory over newly-promoted Reading.

Di Matteo was once again impressed by the performance of Eden Hazard, who was signed this summer for 32 million from Lille.

And he believes the Belgian is already striking up an effective partnership with fellow playmaker Juan Mata after just two games of the new Premier League season.

Hazard provided two assists in the 4-2 defeat of Reading to add to the two he provided at Wigan.
The Chelsea manager said: “The balance was always going to be the key. “It’s all great and everyone wants to see a lot of flair play, but to win games you need a good balance to it. That’s going to be the challenge.” 

“Hazard had an impact in our team, but I think him and Juan Mata linked up very well. He’s finding his feet very quickly, so that is pleasing for us.” 

Hazard won the penalty that allowed Frank Lampard to open the scoring but reading replied through Pavel Pogrebnyak and Danny Guthrie before Gary Cahill brought Chelsea back level. Then Torres scored from an offside position nine minutes from time and Branislav Ivanovic made it four.