Jose Mourinho defends Eden Hazard after penalty miss

Jose Mourinho has leapt to the defence of Eden Hazard after the Chelsea ace missed a late penalty in Wednesday's 1-1 Champions League draw at Maribor.

The Belgium international saw an 86th-minute penalty saved by the inspired Jasmin Handanovic, but Mourinho claims that Hazard's overall performance renders him exempt from criticism.

"When a player plays as well as Eden Hazard did – for me he was absolutely fantastic, by far the best player in my team – he can miss a penalty and still be the best player in my team," the Portuguese told Sky Sports News.

Nemanja Matic struck on 76 minutes to cancel out Agim Ibraimi's opener shortly after the break as the Blues moved three points clear of second-placed Schalke in Group G.