Final Score: Chelsea 2-0 Brighton and Hove Albion
Normal services resumed at Chelsea when second-half goals from Alvaro Morata and Marcos Alonso proved to be enough to see the champions get over the line. The game ended in a 2-0 victory for Conte’s side, who started off very slowly in the first half of the game.
They committed bodies forward but lacked the hunger and desire to push for a goal. Cahill and co. are just a point behind Manchester United now, after they grabbed their 13th win of the season. Throughout the game, the crowd was right behind their lads, shouting their voices off and playing as a 12th man, knowing the fact that the Blues weren’t able to create much in front of goal. Nonetheless, it was job done at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea Player Ratings
Thibaut Courtois: 7/10
Yet another clean sheet, yet another afternoon where he was almost undisturbed.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 8.5/10
The defensive fortitude was of the highest order as usual for the Spaniard but the way he curved his cross, with the right amount of pace and height was just scintillating. He has 6 assists now for the season, and all to the same man, Alvaro Morata.
Gary Cahill: 7/10
Safe as a house, as usual. He didn’t allow any fuss to happen around him.
Antonio Rudiger: 7.5/10
Some of his long balls into the paths of Morata and Bakayoko were noteworthy. Along with that, he covered up for lost ground down the left and made an important clearance in the early stages of the game.
Marcos Alonso: 9/10
Hugged the line, crossed well and tested the opposition keeper more than anyone else – first off a sublime free-kick that was kept out, then off a header. He already has 5 for the season and is about to end 2017 being the league’s top scoring defender.
Victor Moses: 6/10
He was very indecisive and couldn’t exploit the wider spaces or pick a fine pass. For a dribbler of his calibre, he often lost the ball and chose not to take on the defender. In the second half though, he showed much more intent.
Cesc Fabregas: 8.5/10
He worked very hard to get around the play, manoeuvre the passes and play some tiki-taka football. The assist to Alonso was a peach of a delivery along with a few over the top balls that left the Seagulls’ defence stranded.
N’Golo Kante: 8/10
Weaved his way past the opponents and thoroughly entertained the home crowd with his running and one of his counter-attacking displays where he used all his strength combined with superb technique.
TiemouBakayoko: 6.5/10
He was very quiet in the first half and looked like he was running into no man’s land at times. In the second half, the 23-year-old won the ball back, skipped past players on a few occasions and was important in the final third. However, he really needs to coat his finishing with a killer instinct.
Eden Hazard: 8.5/10
He couldn’t really join the party in the first half, but when he did in the second, Eden Hazard was unstoppable. His little flicks around the corners, dribbling, counter-attacking display and composure on the ball were noteworthy. Unlucky to have not scored as his best shot was blocked right on the goal line.
Alvaro Morata: 8/10
In the first half, he had to drop deeper to receive the ball to try and break the deadlock. His movement in the second half was outstanding, which resulted in a well-deserved goal.
Substitutes
Willian: 7.5/10
He moved around with the ball well and was effective in creating spaces down the right, especially when he and Fabregas played those short corners.
Michy Batshuayi: N/A
Got a couple of shots away that were blocked but nothing apart from that to show.
Danny Drinkwater: N/A
Came on in the 85th minute just to see off the game and give Kante a breather.