Brighton 1-2 Chelsea: Hazard's goal & assist seal win for Blues

Chelsea closed the gap on third-place Tottenham as Eden Hazard put in an inspired display against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Match Report

Eden Hazard starred for Chelsea as he scored one and set up another in a hard-fought 2-1 Premier League victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Hazard netted a double in Chelsea's 4-0 win in the corresponding fixture last season, and the winger dazzled Brighton in the first half on Sunday.

With Pedro having benefited from Hazard's exceptional play for Chelsea's opener, the Belgian doubled the visitors' advantage with his first goal in eight games just after the half-hour, although he was replaced late on after picking up a knock.

Player Ratings

Match Events

17'GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Chelsea (Pedro)

GOOOOAALL! Chelsea lead through Pedro! Hazard’s blocked shot takes two Brighton defenders out of the game, allowing him to surge into the box before finding the Spaniard at the far post with a cute pass. That’s what Hazard can do as the roaming striker. 1-0 to the visitors.

33'GOAL! Brighton 0-2 Chelsea (Hazard)

GOOAAAL! Hazard gets on the scoresheet this time after an electric breakaway, giving Ryan the eyes before finishing at the near post. This is becoming a man of the match performance. 2-0 to Chelsea.

66'GOAL! Brighton 1-2 Chelsea (March)

GOOOOAAL! Brighton are back in it and March is the scorer! Montoya’s cross from the right is deep, Bernardo heads back across and the winger steers home. He looked most likely to score in the first half as well. 2-1.

Line-ups

Brighton XI: L. Balogun, Murray, Stephens, Groß, Pröpper, Dunk, M. Ryan, M.Montoya, Knockaert, S. March, Bernardo

Subs: Bong, Bruno, J. Steele, B. Kayal, Jürgen Locadia, Andone, Bissouma

Chelsea XI: Willian, D.Luiz, Azpilicueta, E. Hazard, Pedro, M.Alonso, M. Kovačić, Jorginho, A. Rüdiger, Kepa, N. Kanté

Subs: Fàbregas, W. Caballero, O. Giroud, Barkley, Emerson, A. Christensen, R. Loftus-Cheek