Jose Mourinho calls for Eden Hazard protection

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has called on the officials to give Eden Hazard more protection from opposition defenders.

The Belgian was impressive once again at White Hart Lane on New Year's Day, although he could not prevent his side falling to a pulsating 5-3 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.

Mourinho was unhappy with some of the treatment meted out to the winger during the match and believes that he could be too honest a player for his own good.

"People in love with football in this country, people must be in love with Eden Hazard," Mourinho told reporters.

"The way, match after match, he's being punished by opponents and he's not being protected by referees, maybe one day we won't have Eden Hazard.

"It's one, two, three, four, five, 10 aggressive fouls against him. They kick and kick and kick, and the kid resists. He's a very honest guy in the way he plays, but that's another problem."

Chelsea's defeat means that they now have an identical record to Manchester City at the top of the table.