Eden Hazard believes Chelsea ‘did not play to their strengths’ after cutting a frustrated figure in their 1-0 defeat at Manchester City.

Chelsea's best player was reduced to just harrying Manchester City players in possession and trying to out-jump towering defenders as long balls were launched from the back.

Hazard's obvious dejection over what had transpired was reflected in his post-match comments.

“When you leave the pitch you have the impression that you’ve ran, but that you haven’t played a game of football. That’s a pity," he told members of the Belgian media after game.

In Pictures | Manchester City vs Chelsea | 04/03/2018 24 show all In Pictures | Manchester City vs Chelsea | 04/03/2018 1/24 Getty Images 2/24 Getty Images 3/24 Getty Images 4/24 Getty Images 5/24 Getty Images 6/24 Getty Images 7/24 Getty Images 8/24 Getty Images 9/24 Getty Images 10/24 AFP/Getty Images 11/24 Getty Images 12/24 AFP/Getty Images 13/24 Getty Images 14/24 Getty Images 15/24 AFP/Getty Images 16/24 Getty Images 17/24 Getty Images 18/24 AFP/Getty Images 19/24 AFP/Getty Images 20/24 AFP/Getty Images 21/24 Getty Images 22/24 Getty Images 23/24 Getty Images 24/24 Getty Images 1/24 Getty Images 2/24 Getty Images 3/24 Getty Images 4/24 Getty Images 5/24 Getty Images 6/24 Getty Images 7/24 Getty Images 8/24 Getty Images 9/24 Getty Images 10/24 AFP/Getty Images 11/24 Getty Images 12/24 AFP/Getty Images 13/24 Getty Images 14/24 Getty Images 15/24 AFP/Getty Images 16/24 Getty Images 17/24 Getty Images 18/24 AFP/Getty Images 19/24 AFP/Getty Images 20/24 AFP/Getty Images 21/24 Getty Images 22/24 Getty Images 23/24 Getty Images 24/24 Getty Images

"We could have played on for three hours, and I wouldn’t touch a ball. Only at the end it went better: in the last 10-15 minutes we had more possession. But we should have tried to do that all game.”

“I try to jump towards the long balls. I played today against Nicolas Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte. It’s not easy to win duels against them.

"We haven’t played with our qualities. If Giroud or Alvaro Morata would have played upfront, it would have been easier to play those long balls. With me, its a little bit more complicated, but I’ve tried to give my best.”

Defeat at the Etihad Stadium sees Chelsea trail fourth-place Tottenham by five points, and third-placed Manchester United by six.

EPL Table | Premier League 2017-18 season standings