A resurgent Chelsea side returned to winning ways with great aplomb as they bundled 4 goals past Brighton & Hove Albion at Falmer Stadium.
Without the services of their hitman, Alvaro Morata – who was red-carded in last match against Norwich City, Chelsea started with Batshuayi, Hazard and Willian up-front. And what a start to the game it was as Hazard thumped the ball into the back of net inside just 3 minutes before teeing up with Batshuayi and Willian, with the latter eventually scoring a wonderful goal.
Hazard then latched onto a superb through-ball by Willian and finished neatly to score his second goal of the game before Charly Musonda sent a delightful pass to Moses, who controlled it tidily to score past a helpless Brighton goalkeeper, with the Blues earning a vital 3 points as they keep up the pressure on Manchester united for the second spot in the league rankings.
Let’s put each Chelsea player under the scanner:
Down low, another one kept out. ? @willy_caballero #BHACHE pic.twitter.com/zuwYIBDjBA
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 20, 2018
WILLY CABALLERO: 7.5/10
With Thibaut Courtois out injured due to an ankle injury, Caballero was called into action and he performed amazingly well considering the amount of game-time he has got this season. A low left-handed wonderful save to deny Hemed from close range in the first-half coupled with a good save against Schelotto later into the second half, was a good bit of play from the 36-year-old Argentine. Though a bit sloppy while handling set-pieces, the Argentine had a day to remember.
CESAR AZPILICUETA: 6.5/10
An ever-present figure into the Chelsea back-line, he put in a good defensive performance however didn’t do much offensively – which he didn’t had to do partly due to the fact that Chelsea gained a 2-goal cushion quite early into the game. Though not a game upto the usual standard he sets, the Spaniard would have been happy to see his team return to winning ways.
ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN: 6.5/10
The Dane had a good performance in the back-line putting in a few blocks. Commanded well the Chelsea backline, however was taken off early into the second-half after a clash of heads against Duffy.
ANTONIO RUDIGER: 6/10
Rudiger had a tough day against Schelotto and found himself a bit lost. Couldn’t cope well with Schelotto twisting and turning.
VICTOR MOSES: 7/10
Moses had less of an impact in the first half of the game, but upped his ante in the second-half. The Nigerian latched superbly on a Charly Musonda pass and finished it neatly past Norwich goalkeeper to give Chelsea an unassailable 4-0 lead. It was his first Premier League goal since November 2016 – he must be a relieved man for sure.
TIEMOUE BAKAYOKO: 6/10
Bakayoko has still to sink into the English atmosphere. The Frenchman had a good opportunity to show his mettle to the team, but missed out on it. With Fabregas available, surely he would be the one to escape Conte’s eye.
N’GOLO KANTE: 6.5/10
Kante made a string of runs in the midfield region, however lost possession a few times. Not the most impressive performance he has put, but his position in Chelsea midfield can’t be under any jeopardy for sure.
MARCOS ALONSO: 5.5/10
The Spaniard cut a tired figure on the left flank. Offered very little going forward while defensively he was always on the back-foot against Schelotto, even gifting him a loose ball in the box but had his blushes spared after a superb save by Caballero. A poor display by the Spaniard, who was replaced by Zappacosta in last quarter of the game.
Eden #Hazard has reached more than ? career league goals.
GOAT ? pic.twitter.com/3Gx8ILuRq6
— 1xBet English (@1xbet_Eng) January 20, 2018
EDEN HAZARD: 8.5/10
The Belgian had an amazing day and put a man-of-the-match performance as he scored a brace. His first goal was inside 3 minutes as he controlled the ball and shimmied to the right before thundering the ball in opposite corner of the goal. Hazard’s second came in 77th minute when he ran into the Brighton’s box and scored past a wrong-footed goalkeeper as Brighton’s defence failed to confront him.
Top Class #Hazard #BHACHE #CFC
??????? pic.twitter.com/JaABLA3hp8— Angelo Mangiante (@angelomangiante) January 20, 2018
Must have got his mojo back after a dry spell in front of goal in last couple of months.
MICHY BATSHUAYI: 6 /10
The Belgian was brought in place of Morata but did little to help his case as he failed to score despite Chelsea scoring four. Was involved in the second goal of the game, when he flicked the ball into the path of Willian, who thundered the ball into near post. However against a lowly Brighton side, one would expect the Belgian to bundle goals at ease.
#Willian‘s goal! What a teamwork!#BHACHE #PL
Follow ? @1xbet_Eng pic.twitter.com/yTY1AgWdQ6
— 1xBet English (@1xbet_Eng) January 20, 2018
WILLIAN: 8/10
A tireless figure in the entire match, Willian put in a peach of a performance. The Brazilian scored a wonderful team-goal when he teed up with Hazard and Batshuayi before sending the ball into top corner. Willian then set up an assist for Hazard in the second-half. A wonderful performance by the Brazilian, who was applauded by the crowd after being replaced by Charly Musonda late into the game.
SUBSTITUTES
DAVID LUIZ: 6/10
Brought in for an injured Christensen in the second-half, the Brazilian did well to help Chelsea keep a clean sheet.
DAVIDE ZAPPACOSTA: 6/10
Brought in for Alonso, the Italian played well against the likes of Schelotto but had too little too less time to impress otherwise.
CHARLY MUSONDA: 7/10
Brought in for Willian in the second half, the Belgian put in an beautiful lofted pass for Victor Moses, who controlled and finished it well. Certainly has a bright future ahead of him.
