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Maurizio Sarri started Eden Hazard for the first time this season in the 2-1 win against Newcastle. Sarri had previously reasoned that Hazard wasn’t match fit as he wasn’t involved in the team’s pre-season games.

The Italian brought Hazard on in the second half against Huddersfield and Arsenal and the Belgian was impressive.

Hazard made his first start of the season against the Magpies, and before the game he claimed he is 200% fit to face Newcastle.

After the win against Newcastle, Sarri responded to Hazard’s claims about being match fit.

“I don’t know, I hope he is right,” said Sarri.

“I don’t know if he is able to play for 90 minutes, but I think it’s time to start for him from the beginning. He has worked for three weeks and now I want to give him minutes in a match.”

Sarri also revealed that he isn’t sure Hazard is fit enough for 90 minutes. He said: “I think he played very well, maybe it’s better for him at this moment to only play 70 or 75 minutes but after the first goal Kovacic asked to be substituted, so for me it was impossible to let him rest.”