toptop
Chelsea
won their sixth Premier League game in a row at Stamford Bridge, edging past
Brighton 2-0 on Boxing Day.
After failing to break down Everton on Saturday, Chelsea regained their
killer-instinct with second-half goals from Alvaro Morata (46) and Marcos Alonso
(59).
The result keeps Chelsea in third, but they are still 13 points behind runaway
league leaders Manchester City while Brighton sit 12th, four points above the
drop.
Player Ratings
Chelsea: Courtois (7), Rudiger (7), Azpilicueta (7), Cahill
(6), Moses (7), Alonso (8), Fabregas (8), Hazard (8), Kante (8), Bakayoko (6),
Morata (7).
Subs: Drinkwater (6), Batshuayi (6), Willian (6)
Brighton: Ryan (7), Dunk (6), Duffy (6), Suttner (6), Schelotto
(6), Stephens (6), March (5), Kayal (5), Propper (6), Izquierdo (6), Hemed (5)
Subs: Knockaert (6), Murray (6)
Man of the Match: Eden Hazard
Chelsea took time to warm up as they only could only point to a glaring Tiemoue
Bakayoko miss after Antonio Rudiger jumped high to nod a cross down in the first
period.
But the second half was only 53 seconds old when Chelsea increased their
intensity and took the lead.
The combination of Cesar Azpilicueta and Morata linked up for the sixth time
this season as the defender whipped a sensational ball from deep for the striker
to nod home his 12th goal of the season.
Alonso forced a brilliant save from Mathew Ryan on 57 minutes from a 25-yard
free-kick but beat him four minutes later when Fabregas curled in a corner that
was met by Alonso with a glancing header.
Eden Hazard dazzled in the pocket and nearly added a classic goal to his
collection but his dazzling individual effort was cleared off the line by Lewis
Dunk.
With the game won, Chelsea eased up in the final stages which almost allowed
Brighton to pull one back when Shane Duffy headed inches wide.
Opta stats
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League games played on Boxing Day
(W8 D5), since a 2-4 loss at Charlton in 2003.
No team in Europe's big five leagues has seen more league goals scored by
Spanish players this season than Chelsea (20, level with Real Sociedad).
Morata has netted 12 headed goals in the big five European leagues since the
start of last season, more than any other player.
Since the start of last season, Azpilicueta has racked up 10 Premier League
assists, more than any other defender.
In terms of defender goals, Alonso leads the way in the Premier League since the
start of last season, with 11.
Man of the match: Eden Hazard
Brighton managed to contain the Belgian for the opening 45 minutes, but he took
over in the second half. His all-star display paved the way for Chelsea's two
goals and he was unfortunate not to get himself on the scoresheet after a
mesmeric individual run and finish which was cleared off the line.
What's next?
Chelsea are back at Stamford Bridge again on Saturday where they will play Stoke
City while Brighton are on the road with a trip to Newcastle.
Click Here For Official Team Sheet
Teams
Chelsea Courtois, Azpilicueta, Cahill (c), Rudiger, Moses,
Kante (Drinkwater 85), Bakayoko, Alonso, Fabregas, Hazard (Willian 73), Morata
(Batshuayi 82)
Subs Not Used Caballero, Zappacosta, Pedro, Ampadu
Booked
Goals Morata 46, Alonso 60
Brighton & Hove Albion Ryan, Schelotto, Duffy, Dunk (c),
Suttner, Stephens, Propper, Kayal (Gross 73), March (Knockaert 82), Izquerdo,
Hemed (Murray 80)
Subs Not Used Krol, Bruno, Baldock, Goldson
Booked Stephens
Goals
Attendance 41,568
Referee Mike Dean