Eden Hazard: Chelsea forward the most-fouled player in the Premier League, just ahead of team-mate Diego Costa
Blues duo have been terrorising defences all season, with the opposition seemingly needing to resort to dirty tactics
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EDEN HAZARD and Diego Costa are such a threat to opposition defences they are the most fouled players in the Premier League this season.
The Chelsea duo have been instrumental in helping their side to the top of the table on the back of 11 straight wins.
But their impact on matches has come at a cost – with them both being singled out for more foul play than any others in the top flight.
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Belgian winger Hazard has received the most tough treatment, having had 54 free-kicks against him so far during the campaign.
And team-mate Costa is also being singled out for underhand treatment, with 46 fouls committed on him already this season.
Eden Hazard has been fouled an incredible 54 times already this season
The rough-house tactics have still not been enough to stop the pair helping Antonio Conte’s team to a six point lead at the top of the Premier League at Christmas – with Costa topping the goal-scoring charts with 13 strikes.
But they are both on the receiving end of more fouls than someone like Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez – who has only been the fall-guy 25 times despite his impressive form for the Gunners.
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is the third most fouled player in the league this season, having been stopped in his tracks illegally 44 times.
Then comes Bournemouth’s attacking minded full-back Adam Smith, who opposition players have fouled 40 times already during the campaign.
Liverpool wide-man Sadio Mane and Manchester United star Paul Pogba are joint-fifth on the list with 37 free-kicks given for offences against them.
Joe Allen, Modou Barrow, Danny Rose and Dele Alli round off the top ten.