Always one of the trickiest fixtures of the season, the Blues face Roberto Martinez’s Everton on Merseyside this evening, with Eden Hazard determined to send out an early statement of intent.

Jose Mourinho’s side go into the game having taken maximum points from our first two matches, while our opponents are yet to win, after drawing 2-2 at Leicester on the opening day, before allowing a two-goal advantage to slip against Arsenal last weekend, with the Gunners stealing a point right at the death.

The corresponding fixture last season saw us fall to a 1-0 defeat, and Hazard hopes to put that right this evening, securing an advantage over a team expected to challenge at the top of the Barclays Premier League table.

‘It will be very tough,’ he says. ‘Everton are always a difficult opponent. The first time I played at Goodison Park we won 2-1 but last year we lost 1-0, we know it will be hard but we can win the game if we perform well on the day.

‘It’s very important because if you can win these type of matches it’s great for the confidence. Obviously we will have only played three games, so it’s still very early, but it’s always good to be at the top of the table. After Everton we play Swansea at home and then Manchester City away, so we need to make sure we win these games.

‘Of course, we know these teams will be near the top at the end of the season. Not only is it good for confidence when you beat them, but winning gives us three points, and them nothing, so it’s very important.’