Brighton and Hove Albion were no match for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, as Maurizio Sarri's changed side won 3-0 in the Premier League.
Match Events
38' GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Brighton (Giroud)
Knockaert is beaten too easily by Hudson-Odoi and the teenager fizzes in a low cross to the near post, where Giroud arrives to squeeze the ball in from very close range! Chelsea lead!
Hudson-Odoi rewards his manager's faith on his first Premier League start, and he's had Knockaert's number ever since the Frenchman replaced March.
60' GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Brighton (Hazard)
Hazard produces a moment of magic and Brighton are undone! He drifts in from the left and picks up the ball in a central area just outside the box.
He feints to shoot, sending Dunk sliding away, before curling a lovely strike into the far corner! Chelsea really need to keep him this summer.
63' GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Brighton (Loftus-Cheek)
Hazard turns provider for Loftus-Cheek as the pair swap roles in an almost identical move, with the Englishman firing into the top-right corner from the edge of the box to make it 3-0 to the Blues!
Hazard further adds to his remarkable tally of goals and assists against Brighton, as well as his contribution at Stamford Bridge.
Match Report
Chelsea's fringe players justified their selection as Callum Hudson-Odoi, Olivier Giroud and Ruben Loftus-Cheek played crucial roles in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.
Maurizio Sarri shuffled his pack from Sunday's contentious 2-1 win at Cardiff City, handing Hudson-Odoi his first league start in the process, and Chelsea rarely looked like dropping points as they produced an excellent display at Stamford Bridge.
Hudson-Odoi certainly made an impact out wide, setting up Giroud with a pinpoint cross to give the dominant Blues the lead just before half-time with his first Premier League goal since November.
Eden Hazard doubled their advantage with an hour played and Loftus-Cheek – who set up the Belgian – wrapped things up three minutes later with a gorgeous 25-yard strike, sending Chelsea above Manchester United and into fifth.
Player Ratings
Line-ups
Chelsea XI: Kepa; Azpilicueta(C), Luiz, Christensen, Emerson; Jorginho, Kante, Loftus-Cheek; Hazard, Hudson-Odoi, Giroud.
Subs: Caballero, Rudiger, Zappacosta, Barkley, Kovacic, Willian, Higuain.
Brighton XI: Ryan; Bruno (C), Duffy, Dunk, Bong; Stephens, Propper, Bissouma; Jahanbakhsh, Andone, March.
Subs: Button, Burn, Bernardo, Kayal, Izquierdo, Knockaert, Murray.
Upwardly2015
278
Chelsea climbed up to 5the spot while Man Utd dropped down to 6th. Interesting top 4 race. I have always said that Chelsea possess the quality to make the top 4 race than Man Utd. The only problem with Chelsea is Sarri -Ball, especially when the coach is 'high' on something which makes him unable to make the right player selection....[byebye]
Opeyemi4
246
After to night game I think our smoking coach can now see that CHO is now fully ready to take d big boys in the premier league, nice game today from the lads
Nesaiknruy_Legend
232
Finally Sarri did everything right and I mean everything. Only criticism for tonight's match would be subbing Loftus Cheek but we have to remember Cheek recently came back. So everything was perfect. Odoi and Ruben playing made us look like City compared to last match where we looked like Huddersfield. Introducing Emerson, Christensen, Odoi and Cheek as starters finally brought to light to Sarri the players who he should be picking. Fantastic play from all the Chelsea academy boys out there and Emerson. A whole different team played today. This team would have battered Cardiff cos it's the exact same game but difference is the right players played. Also would like to highlight how key Giroud is to the side, very underrated how he contributes. All round good game and expected from our BEST line up. So happy with today's performance cos everything was right. I'll go back to being neutral for now given Sarri sticks to this kinda line up every once in a while.... UTC
Chucks0147
222
So after tonight I bet Sarri can now see the CHO effect, same thing southgate saw. And Loftus-Cheek was unbelievable tonight!
VanishPrasad
178
Should this have been a penalty for a foul on Kante?
TonyV25
171
That's what starting CHO and RLC does Sarri shouldn't rotate much and stick to this lineup for weeks and things will be more consistent for them
Fobcdtuyz
158
The problem with Sarriball is unnecessary passes at the goal area. Another problem which is not what Sarri taught them is being too slow moving forward. when you slow down your game at the opponent's area, you are giving them the opportunity to fall back fast and defend thereby giving you no chance of creating scoring opportunities. I will suggest that the blues shoot at sight for goals like they did today. Please, cut off unnecessary passes. Attack more and you will see the difference. Score more goals because goal difference may eventually decide the last four position. Well done for today and give CHO enough playing time. Up Blues. Papa Dee
borrow
95
1. Eden Hazard has been directly involved in 16 of Chelsea’s 32 Premier League goals at Stamford Bridge this season (9 goals, 7 assists), over twice that of any other player at the club. 2. Chelsea have had two English players (Hudson-Odoi & Loftus-Cheek) assist a goal in the same Premier League match for the first time since January 2012 against Bolton 3. Callum Hudson-Odoi has been directly involved in nine goals in his nine starts for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring four and assisting five. 4. UP BLUES!!! 💪💪
PrinceDjdowskiKess
80
Sarri keep designing his name While Hudson Odoi keep improving
Abbawaziri
80
The boys showed lots of positivity with great mentality it is one of our best performances this season we deserved to score more goal. Hudson was magnificent he proved he can play week in week out and there is a reason why teams want him. Loftus cheek my man of the match he was sublime everything involved around him a goal and an assist, overall performance was good.
VanishPrasad
60
Hazard now has ; 14 goals and 12 assists..... This is the most goal contribution by any player in the EPL. He derseves the PFA player of the year this season.
xculanta
49
sarri featured d best players DAT should be starting week in and out for Chelsea but cigarette won't allow him think straight(Highness), high spirited blues, I think loftus is a better option to compliment ngolo and jorginho, somebody should tell sarri his name is Hudson and not Pedro.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
34
I forgot to mention, CHO did everything he has been criticised for. Tonight he was amazing in the defensive phase on both sides and at times even dropped back into a fullback position to allow the full backs to advance. This kid is truly advanced years beyond his age. He has now shown he is more effective in both the offensive and defensive phase than Willian and Pedro.... it's no coincidence the strikers always benefit off of him playing on the wing....