Eden Hazard has been one of the Premier League's top players this season. 

The Belgian forward has 10 goals and 10 assists for Chelsea so far - and the only other player in Europe's top five divisions to match that milestone is Lionel Messi. 

It's impressive that Hazard has reached that number in England, and even more so in a team that has really been struggling to score goals.   

At times, he's carried the Blues to victory and without Hazard, it's unlikely that Maurizio Sarri's team would be in fourth place, just one point behind Tottenham.

However, his performance last weekend against Newcastle wasn't so strong. 

Chelsea did win the game thanks to goals from Pedro and Willian, but the Toon were able to keep Hazard quiet for the most part. He did though, provide the match-winning assist.  

STRUGGLING AS A FALSE 9

Sarri decided to start his star man in the false 9 role rather than naming a recognised striker, which has worked on a number of occasions already this season.

Newcastle did well to contain Hazard throughout, and he was restricted to picking the ball up in deep positions and driving at the defence from midfield. 

On top of that, his link-up play was pretty poor too, and he only managed one shot while he was on the pitch.

Chelsea did secure a 2-1 win, but it was with little help from their star player. And following the match, former Blues striker Tony Cascarino has criticised Hazard's performance.   

DISRESPECTING THE ROLE

"I went to Chelsea on Saturday and Eden Hazard disrespected the false No 9 role," Cascarino wrote in the Times, per talkSPORT. 

"He was flicking everything that came his way with no regard for team play. He’s normally the one running on to the flicks but when you are asked to do a job for the team, do it properly." 

As well as calling Hazard out for disrespecting his role in the team, Cascarino went even further, likening his showboating to that of the Harlem Globetrotters.

"He’s a wonderful player but I wasn’t impressed, it was like a Harlem Globetrotters approach."

Luckily for Hazard, his team came through a tough fixture at Stamford Bridge and picked up three points. 

But, against better opponents, he'll have to be more careful about bringing out the party tricks before the game has been won.