Chelsea inch closer to top four with convincing win versus Brighton
Players of Chelsea celebrate after Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored his sides third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, April 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Chelsea Football Club is fifth in the English Premier League, level with Arsenal at 63 points after beating Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 at home Wednesday. The midweek-matchup was the Blues first clean sheet in league play since beating third-place Tottenham 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Feb. 27.
Squad Rotation
After beating relegation-scared Cardiff City 2-1 on March 31, Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri decided to give some players a rest. Therefore, three of the Blues academy graduates started against the Seagulls including Danish center-back Andreas Christensen and English players Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi. The integration of youth pleased the fans in attendance, who recently bickered about the lack of youth in the squad.
Additionally, Sarri played the pacier Emerson at left-back instead of Spaniard Marcos Alonso and gave Olivier Giroud the nine-spot instead of Gonzalo Higuain. Sarri’s squad selection proved to be a good choice, despite the lack of chances created before Hudson-Odoi’s driven-cross was finished by Giroud right in front of goal.
That assist brings Hudson-Odoi to nine and nine in all competitions this season. Despite the initial goal, the West London side looked the same it has most of 2019—sluggish when attacking and unable to turn possession into meaningful chances. Hence, Chelsea had most of the ball, but Brighton just sat back and waited for a chance to counterattack.
Chelsea's Olivier Giroud, left, falls after scoring his sides first goal past Brighton's Shane Duffy, right, during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, April 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
The lack of meaningful chances can be linked to various factors. For instance, Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta provides little going forward because of his lack of pace and attacking prowess, while midfielders N’Golo Kante and Jorginho are known for maintaining and winning the ball back. Yet, the Blues managed 17 shots overall.
Chelsea's Eden Hazard celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, April 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Déjà Vu
In the second half, Chelsea produced two spectacular efforts that resulted in goals just three minutes apart. Belgian winger Eden Hazard dribbled past defenders right outside of the penalty area and finessed a shot past Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan in the 60th minute.
Loftus-Cheek fancied a similar effort soon after, scoring almost an identical goal that sealed the win. Hazard jokingly told Chelsea TV that his goal was better.
The club had not scored three-plus goals in a league match since trouncing relegated-Huddersfield 5-0 on Feb. 2.
Azpilicueta had praised Loftus-Cheek in an interview before the match.
“He’s understanding the game better, when he has to drive with the ball, and he has unbelievable strength,” Azpilicueta said. “He can push past defenders, get in the box, score goals, and he defends. He is a complete player.”
After the match, Sarri also commented on the Englishman’s progress.
“Loftus-Cheek for the first time in the season is without his problem in his back,” Sarri said. “In the last 20 days he was able to have training every day. Today he played very well, he scored a wonderful goal. After 75 minutes he had a little problem with his hamstring, nothing serious, only cramp I think, but tomorrow I want to be sure about the situation with his back because that is the big problem.”
When interviewed after the match, Loftus-Cheek said that the win is needed with such a tight race at the top of the table with the end of the season approaching. Only three points separates Tottenham in third and Manchester United in sixth.
What’s Next?
Chelsea has a break until Monday, April 8, when it takes on West Ham in another London Derby. The only other meeting this season resulted in a scoreless draw in September. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. EST.