José Mourinho lavished praise on Eden Hazard's "best" performance this season after he led Chelsea to a dramatic 4-3 Barclays Premier League victory at struggling Sunderland.
Hazard set up the opening goal and then scoring twice in a frantic encounter at the Stadium of Light which helped the second-placed Blues maintain the pressure on leaders Arsenal.
Asked how he rated Hazard's individual display, Mourinho said: "The best. With me, the best.
Hazard's display at Sunderland was his "best" under Mourinho, the Portuguese said
"Maybe last season, he did something similar or even better, but with me, the best.
"The talent, we know, but the ambition from the first to the last minutes for me, it was the first time because he has a great talent, but sometimes he does incredible things and after that, he disappears from the game.
"Today, he was fantastic from the first minute, getting the ball, taking on defenders, shooting. Sometimes he creates a lot, but doesn't shoot; today the performance was fantastic.
Hazard at Chelsea
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Chelseas Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard celebrates with Chelsea's English midfielder Frank Lampard (R) after he scores their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on December 4, 2013. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chelseas Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (2nd R) celebrates with Chelsea's English midfielder Frank Lampard after he scores their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on December 4, 2013. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Chelsea - Premier League(03 of24)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Referee Phil Dowd shows the yellow card to Eden Hazard of Chelsea after his second goal celebration during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at Stadium of Light on December 4, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chelseas Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on December 4, 2013. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-SUNDERLAND-CHELSEA(05 of24)
Chelseas Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on December 4, 2013. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Chelsea - Premier League(06 of24)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Eden Hazard of Chelsea in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on December 4, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chelseas Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (C) celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on December 4, 2013. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Chelsea - Premier League(08 of24)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Eden Hazard of Chelsea is congratulated by team mates after scoring his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at Stadium of Light on December 4, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Chelsea - Premier League(09 of24)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Eden Hazard (L) of Chelsea celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on December 4, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Chelsea - Premier League(10 of24)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Eden Hazard (L) of Chelsea celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on December 4, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chelseas Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (2L) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Ramires (L) during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on December 4, 2013. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-SUNDERLAND-CHELSEA(12 of24)
Chelseas Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (3rd R) celebrates with teammates after he scores their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on December 4, 2013. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-SUNDERLAND-CHELSEA(13 of24)
Chelseas Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (C) celebrates with teammates after he scores their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on December 4, 2013. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-SUNDERLAND-CHELSEA(14 of24)
Chelseas Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (C) celebrates with teammates after he scores their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on December 4, 2013. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Chelsea - Premier League(15 of24)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Eden Hazard of Chelsea is congratulated by team mate Willian after scoring his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at Stadium of Light on December 4, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chelseas Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (R) vies with Sunderland's South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-Yong (L) during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on December 4, 2013. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-SUNDERLAND-CHELSEA(17 of24)
Chelseas Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (R) vies with Sunderland's South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-Yong (L) during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on December 4, 2013. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Chelsea - Premier League(18 of24)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Eden Hazard of Chelsea in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on December 4, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Chelseas Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard vies with Sunderland's English-born Scottish defender Phil Bardsley (2nd R) during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on December 4, 2013. Chelsea won the game 4-3. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Chelsea - Premier League(20 of24)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at Stadium of Light on December 4, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sunderland v Chelsea - Premier League(21 of24)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Eden Hazard of Chelsea (R) scores his second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Chelsea at the Stadium of Light on December 4, 2013 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-SUNDERLAND-CHELSEA(22 of24)
Chelseas Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard vies with Sunderland's English-born Scottish defender Phil Bardsley (R) during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on December 4, 2013. Chelsea won the game 4-3. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-SUNDERLAND-CHELSEA(23 of24)
Chelseas Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (R) scores his second and his team's third goal during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on December 4, 2013. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-SUNDERLAND-CHELSEA(24 of24)
Chelseas Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (R) scores his second and his team's third goal during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Chelsea at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, northeast England on December 4, 2013. AFP PHOTO/IAN MACNICOL RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR LIVE SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. (Photo credit should read Ian MacNicol/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
"He, [Juan] Mata and Willian, all of them, they were creative, they were dynamic, they gave to the team what we need in terms of creation in the last phase of the game."
It was Hazard who provided the 17th-minute cross from which Frank Lampard cancelled out Jozy Altidore's opener, and he then produced two sublime pieces of skill to get his own name on to the scoresheet twice, after 37 and 62 minutes.