Alan Pardew admits Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres both contributed strong performances for Chelsea as Newcastle suffered defeat.
Toon boss admits his side were slow out of the blocks
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew admits Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres both contributed strong performances for Chelsea as the Magpies were beaten at Stamford Bridge.
Hazard converted an early penalty for the Blues after Torres was fouled in the area, then the Belgian set up the striker for the home side's second to seal a 2-0 win.
The two look to be building an understanding at the top of the field for Chelsea and Pardew was very impressed with former Lille man Hazard.
"He is a difficult player because he travels with the ball and buys time and when you have someone who can do that you can time your runs off it," he said.
"He just has a kind of nonchalance about him that marks him out as a great player, every time he got the ball today he made the right decision - he has made a difference to Chelsea."
Torres, who picked up the Golden Boot at this summer's European Championship with Spain, has started the season well and seems to be playing with renewed confidence, something noted by Pardew.
Classic
He said: "I thought he was good today, I have seen him a few times up close and that was one of his better games that I have seen, certainly the second goal was a classic goal.
"He had some good moments today and it is good for Chelsea that he is playing well."
Pardew's side travelled to Stamford Bridge on the back of a 1-1 draw against Greek side Atromitos in their Europa League qualifier on Thursday night and the former West Ham boss admitted his side were slow out of the blocks against the European champions, but praised their second-half efforts.
He said: "In the first half I genuinely thought we looked a bit lacklustre and lacked a bit of a spark in that period.
"Chelsea were good in that first half and I don't want to take anything away from them but the goals were bad for us - the goal just before half-time was a killer blow really.
"We really had a go second half, we didn't shut up shop or try and cover our losses we tried to get back in it - so I'm fairly positive about my team."
