By Gary Watton
January 20 2018

Both Arsenic and Chelsea warmed up for their midweek cup decider with four goals in their emphatic wins over Eagles and Seagulls. Chelsea managed to record a winter double over hapless Brighton to the tune of a six-nil aggregate. This match on the south coast was a little peculiar in that it didn't feel like a four-nil. The English champions stormed into a two-nil lead within the first eight minutes, courtesy of fine strikes by the in-form Hazard and Willian. Then for much of the remainder of this encounter, the visitors soaked up a fair degree of pressing from the hosts who frequently prevented Chelsea from passing the ball out from the back and from stringing about four passes together.

Then, after Caballero and chums had defied impotent Brighton, the Londoners mugged the home team with two late goals. This had the effect of flattering Chelsea's performance, but was a welcome boost to the team's goal difference. First the frighteningly irreplaceable Eden Hazard stroked home with an exquisite finish. Then young Musonda provided a sumptuous pass that Vic Moses skilfully controlled before slotting into the net with his left foot. This was Moses's first league goal for over a year. Musonda deserves more game time, at least as an impact substitute.

If Chelsea can score four goals effortlessly in the absence of the suspended Morata, then maybe they should play without him more often?

Brighton and Hove Albion 0 CHELSEA 4; half time: 0-2

CHELSEA goal scorers: Hazard (two); Willian; Moses

CHELSEA: Caballero; Azpilicueta; Christensen; Moses; Rudiger; Bakayoko; Kante; Willian; Batshuayi; Alonso; Hazard. Used substitutes: Luiz; Zappacosta; Musonda

CHELSEA leading scorers:

Morata twelve

Hazard eleven

Batshuayi eight

Willian eight

Alonso six

Pedro four

Bakayoko three

Rudiger three

.

Discussion started by Chelsea FC (IP Logged), 20/01/2018 15:16

Chelsea FC
20/01/2018 15:16

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