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| Eden Hazard poses with the PFA trophy after winning the award with a superb season in a Chelsea shirt |
Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard was the toast of the English game as he carried off the PFA Player of the Year award. The 24-year-old Belgian has scored 18 goals across all competitions for his club this season, helping the Blues win the Capital One Cup and putting them on the brink of a first Premier League title since 2010.
He was rewarded for his sterling performances with the top individual award of the night at the Grosvenor Hotel in London. Victory in their next two games - at Leicester and at home to Crystal Palace - would see Chelsea wrap up the championship.
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| The 24-year-old Belgian poses with the trophy after collecting the gong at a glittering award ceremony at London's Grosvenor Hotel |
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| Hazard joined Chelsea from Lille in 2012 and put pen to paper on a new five-and-a-half-year deal with the club in February |
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| Didier Drogba posted this picture on Instagram of Branislav Ivanovic, Nemanja Matic, Cesar Azpilicueta, Hazard, John Terry and Cesc Fabregas |
Hazard said of his award success: 'I'm very happy. One day I want to be the best and what I did this season is play very well, Chelsea played very well. 'I don't know if I deserve to win but it is good for me. 'It is good, it is better to be voted by the players - they know everything about football. This is good. I'm very happy.'
He took the Young Player of the Year prize 12 months ago, and has rapidly progressed to the top award. We are almost champions, maybe this is the key,' said Hazard. 'Last season we finished third and this season we have an opportunity to win the league. This has changed from last season. 'I continue like I did last season - I try to be the same. I try to score more goals than last season. Personally I have played a good season, I have been there in the big games and I scored a lot of important goals, this is why I'm better this season.'
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| Hazard has dazzled for Chelsea this season as the Blues look certain to win the first Premier League title of Jose Mourinho's second stint |
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| Hazard coolly slots past David de Gea to score the only goal of the game against Manchester United to extend Chelsea's lead at the top |
Mourinho has long sung the praises of the 24-year-old, believing he is rivalled by only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the global order. 'I had lots of stars, but he is the humble star,' the Portuguese said last weekend. 'He knows that he is one of the three best players in the world, the responsibility that comes (with that) and he is coping with that responsibility. 'He understands that his talent is fundamental for the team.'
Hazard was earlier on Sunday named in the PFA Premier League team of the year - for the third time in his three seasons in England. He was one of six Blues players in the XI, along with captain John Terry, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic, Nemanja Matic and Diego Costa.
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| The PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the 2014-15 season was announced ahead of Hazard being named Player of the Year |
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| Hazard has benefited from working with Mourinho, with the Portuguese coach adding grit to his naturally flamboyant game |
Ivanovic, though, was in no doubt as to the team's most influential cog. The Serbia defender, speaking about Hazard last week, said: 'He has been our most important player since day one. 'He is the guy who you just have to give the ball and he will do everything. 'Sometimes he looks so impressive, like he is not from this world.'
Hazard arrived at Stamford Bridge in June 2012 - having been crowned Ligue 1 player of the year in each of his final two campaigns with Lille - for a fee reportedly around £32million.
Tottenham's Harry Kane - the only English attacking player in the team of the season - took the 2014/15 Young Player of the Year award. The 21-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise to stardom, scoring 30 goals for Spurs in all competitions this term despite not being given a regular starting slot until November. He helped Mauricio Pochettino's men to the Capital One Cup final, and also scored 79 seconds into his senior England debut as a substitute in the 4-0 European Championship qualifying victory over Lithuania at Wembley last month.
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| Harry Kane capped a tremendous breakout season by walking away with the Young Player of the Year award |
Elsewhere, Ji So-yun of Chelsea Ladies won the PFA Women's Player of the Year, while Leah Williamson of Arsenal Ladies won the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year.
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| Ji So-yun won the PFA Women's Player of the Year |
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| Leah Williamson won the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year |
- Daily Mail
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