CHELSEA manager Maurizio Sarri couldn’t have wished for a better start to Premier League life as his side successfully navigated a tough trip north to West Yorkshire yesterday. 

They came up against a Huddersfield Town side who gave as good as they got in the first half, and were arguably the better side at times during that period.

The Terriers hit the bar through Steve Mounie, but either side of that incident the visitors were able to take control of the game. N’Golo Kante turned home Willian’s cross, and the coolest of penalties from new signing Jorginho doubled the lead.

Just before half time Chelsea showed signs that they were beginning to click, easing in to the new style of play under Sarri which will make them a more entertaining watch. 

All of this without Eden Hazard, who didn’t emerge from the bench until 15 minutes from the end. Not long after entering the fray, the Belgian played a clever pass to Pedro on the break and the Spanish winger dinked over Ben Hamer to add the third.

“I’m very happy, because in the first part of the season it is not easy to gain points,” said Sarri. 

“The first half was hard. If you look at the result you can think about an easy game, but in the first half we were in trouble for 15 minutes against a very physical team, and we don’t have a physical team. In the second half there was more space and time.”

The Italian was happy with the impact made by Hazard, but doesn’t believe he is ready for 90 minutes yet. He revealed he planned to introduce his star player towards the end once the opposition tired, and it worked.

“Eden in this moment cannot play for 90 minutes,” he added. “He has to improve, to have training. 

“I thought yesterday that the best thing to do is for him to play 15 to 20 minutes, when the opponents are probably tired.”

Huddersfield manager David Wagner was pleased with his side’s display despite the defeat, admitting that Chelsea deserved the win but bemoaning small margins which cost his side. 

“It was a disappointing result, but not a disappointing performance,” he said. 

“Especially the first half. The players left everything out on the grass. In the end it was a deserved win for Chelsea but I’ve seen enough in the first half to see that we are in the right way.”