- Chelsea defeat Brighton 4-0 at the Amex.
- Eden Hazard bags a brace, Willian scores stunning goal.
- Here’s our match report, goal highlights and player ratings.
Chelsea defeated Brighton 4-0 to keep the pressure on second place Manchester United.
Manchester City are going to be the Premier League champions come May, that is merely a foregone conclusion. However, we need to tighten our grip on the top four and ensure that we qualify for the Champions League next term. After our recent shortfalls, today was a much needed step in the right direction.
The Blues found the back of the net just once in 210 minutes of football against Championship side Norwich City, but were (thankfully) more clinical in front of goal on Saturday afternoon.
It was Eden Hazard who gave Chelsea the lead. The Belgian squared up the Brighton defender before shifting the ball onto his right-foot and firing home into the back of the net. It was Hazard’s 100th league goal in his career, scoring 36 for Lille and 64 for Chelsea.
Moses crosses a ball which is poked into Hazard’s path and the Belgian sidesteps one defender before firing into the upper netting. 0-1. #CFC pic.twitter.com/rMxJbEqtlq
— Chelsea GIFs (@ChelseaGIFs) January 20, 2018
Chelsea’s second goal was an absolute gem. The link-up play between Hazard, Michy Batshuayi and Willian was absolutely divine. They dazzled the Brighton defenders before Batshuayi’s back-heel rolled into the path of Willian, who finished in some style! Willian has now been directly involved in seven goals in his last five Premier League starts.
Chelsea win the ball in the offensive third and Willian links up with Hazard who plays a quick ball to Batshuayi and his quality flick sets up Willian who makes no mistake. 0-2. #CFC pic.twitter.com/dYSuFd9iRk
— Chelsea GIFs (@ChelseaGIFs) January 20, 2018
Late in the second half, Hazard bagged a second. The Belgian took advantage of some lacklustre Brighton defending before driving into the penalty area and slotting home into the bottom corner. It really was vintage Eden Hazard. He had to wait eight weeks for a goal from open play, and he got two in one afternoon.
Willian plays a perfectly-weighted ball to Hazard who breaks at pace then cuts across the box before executing a deft reverse finish to confuse the defense and keeper and score his second of the day. 0-3. #CFC pic.twitter.com/AAgnmTWhBV
— Chelsea GIFs (@ChelseaGIFs) January 20, 2018
Chelsea were not done there, however. Substitute Charly Musonda played a delightful ball over the top of the Brighton defence, and it was controlled and finished expertly by Victor Moses. It was Musonda’s first ever assist in the Premier League, and it was one to remember!
Charly Musonda Jr picks his head up and plays in a classy ball to the streaking Moses who collects well and finishes to score our fourth. 0-4. #CFC pic.twitter.com/bcAK2jrxT4
— Chelsea GIFs (@ChelseaGIFs) January 20, 2018
It was a much needed victory and flurry of goals for the reigning champions. We now turn our attention to the second-leg of our Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal on Wednesday. Here’s our player ratings.
Caballero 9, Azpilicueta 8, Christensen 6, Rudiger 7, Moses 7, Bakayoko 6, Kante 8, Alonso 4, Willian 9, Hazard 9, Batshuayi 7. (Subs: David Luiz 6, Zappacosta 6, Musonda 5)
