Eden Hazard came on from the bench to score for Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Eden Hazard insists he was not surprised by Antonio Conte’s decision to drop him for the FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham.

The Belgian playmaker has been in superb form this season but was rested by Conte, who instead opted to start Willian in the wide role.

The decision was justified as Brazilian star Willian scored two first-half goals, before Hazard settled the tie after coming on from the bench in the second-half.

When asked whether he was surprised not be included in the starting line-up, Hazard said: ‘No, the manager told my yesterday.

‘You have to expect everything in football. You want to play every game, of course, that’s what every footballer wants.

‘But I think he [Conte] made a great choice as Willian scored two goals.’

Star striker Diego Costa also started the game from the bench (Picture: Getty)

On reaching his first FA Cup final with the Blues, Hazard said: ‘It’s always good to win this kind of game – a semi against a London team – so for the fans it’s good.

‘It’s my first final in five years at Chelsea so it’s good – we are all very happy to be in the final.’

Chelsea will play the winner of Sunday’s semi-final between Arsenal and Manchester City.

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