London, Nov 22 (IANS) Chelsea captain John Terry was relieved after they overturned a three-match losing trend and backed striker Diego Costa to return to his goal-scoring best after netting the match-winner against Norwich City.
The English champions won 1-0, propped up by the second half-goal by Costa on Saturday in an English Premier League home match.
Costa capitalised on a Cesc Fabregas’ quick-witted free-kick that gave them a first league win in four matches.
The captain had no doubts the striker would begin to find the net again and he also praised Eden Hazard who impressed with a sparkling display.
Terry also reflected on the game overall, with the goal coming just after the hour following several good openings made.
“The performances have been there of late, just not the results,’ he said, ‘so I am delighted to get the three points on the board and you could see the relief and the delight from the other players as well. It was a good performance and hopefully this is a step in the right direction for us,” Terry was quoted as saying by Chelsea’s official website on Saturday.
“It was about being patient. Our build-up play was creating a lot of chances on goal, which we have been doing of late as well, so we are pleased with that and at half-time the manager was stressing we continue and the door will open, the goal will come, and thankfully it did.”
Terry does not feel the pressure was building on Diego Costa unduly prior to his first goal in a month.
“Not when strikers are getting into those positions to score goals,” he explained.
“Diego is a great finisher and it will always come. If he is not getting in those positions for the chances then I think it is a problem but he was there today and was unlucky with a couple in the first half, and it was a great finish from him in the second half.”
Terry said Chelsea would need Hazard to carry on from here to help the team achieve consistency in its performances.
“Eden Hazard is back to his best and not only this Saturday, the last five or six games you have seen from everybody the raising in performances individually and collectively and with this result, the delight and the relief from players is there to see.
“It is a big week now with the Champions League. We have got one win out the way with hopefully more to come.”