An Eden Hazard double ensured that a much-changed Chelsea side secured the clubs first win of the year in resounding fashion, comfortably dispatching of Brighton 4-0.
Chelsea were without several key players due to injury and suspension, with Thibaut Courtois out injured whilst the Spanish trio of Cesc Fabregas, Alvaro Morata and Pedro were all suspended for the trip to the Amex Stadium. Chelsea have started games slowly this season, with a tendency to grow into the match but today was a contradiction of the past few months, as the Blues raced into a two-goal lead within just six minutes.
A deflected Victor Moses cross fell to Hazard inside the box who jinked past the Brighton defence and firing his shot past Matt Ryan to give Chelsea the lead just three minutes after kick off. Willian then doubled his sides lead after a superb flowing move between him, Hazard and Michy Batshuayi, unleashing a venomous drive high into the net.
Brighton reacted well but Willy Caballero stood strong to deny Tomar Hemed, before watching Davy Propper’s header smash a combination of post and crossbar. A late second-half salvo put a dominant gloss on the scoreline as Hazard added his second of the game latching on to Willian’s through ball and driving into the box before slotting in Chelsea’s third. Substitute Charly Musonda grabbed his first Premier League assist with a spectacular 40-yard ball to find the onrushing Victor Moses who placed his finish into the corner to wrap up the three points.
