Callum Hudson-Odoi made his first Premier League start as Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 home win over Brighton on Wednesday to keep the pressure on top-four rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
The winger, who made his England bow last month, was among seven changes made by Maurizio Sarri with fan favourites Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Eden Hazard, Andreas Christensen and N’Golo Kante also starting following the controversial win over Cardiff City on Sunday.
And after a tepid start to the game, Hudson-Odoi set up the opener for Olivier Giroud to score his first goal since November with a finish from close range.
Olivier Giroud of Chelsea celebrates scoring the opening goal with team-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on April 03, 2019 in London, United Kingdom
Image credit: Getty Images
The Seagulls, who made four changes perhaps with one eye on Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, offered little ambition as an attacking threat and took until the 80th minute to register their first effort on target.
Chelsea upped the tempo in the second half and doubled their lead through a stunning strike from the edge of the box from Eden Hazard, only his second goal in his past ten games.
But that effort was bettered by a long-range belter from Loftus-Cheek which flew into the top corner as the home side move up to joint fourth place with Arsenal while the Seagulls are five points off the relegation zone.
TALKING POINT
Will Sarri give Loftus-Cheek and Hudson-Odoi a run in the team now?
There were plenty of empty seats at Stamford Bridge perhaps due to the turgid football at times in recent weeks. But Sarri’s selection gives reasons to be cheerful for Chelsea fans. He avoided the usual Barkley-Kovacic swap, and gave duo Loftus-Cheek and Hudson-Odoi a chance. And they both justified their selection to give the Italian plenty to ponder as they chase a top four finish.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on April 03, 2019 in London, United Kingdom
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
Eden Hazard (Chelsea): The Belgian cut a frustrated figure in the first half but it was him and Hudson-Odoi who produced the Blues’ best moments. And he scored a stunning strike from the edge of the box to cap off an impressive performance.
Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on April 03, 2019 in London, United Kingdom
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY MOMENTS:
31' - INJURY: March is replaced by Knockaert after picking up an injury from making a tackle.
33’ - CHANCE! The gaps are starting to appear after March's withdrawal. Hudson-Odoi easily beats Knockaert and chips in a cross to the near post for Azpilicueta whose glancing header goes wide.
38’ - GOAL FOR CHELSEA! It's that man Hudson-Odoi who sets it up with a good run and cross for Giroud to flick it in from close range at the near post.
60’ - GOAL FOR CHELSEA! Hazard bends the ball into the corner from the edge of the box from Loftus-Cheek's pass. What a strike!
Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with Olivier Giroud of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on April 03, 2019 in London, United Kingdom
Image credit: Getty Images
64’ - GOAL FOR CHELSEA! Stunning long-range strike from Loftus-Cheek which flies into the top corner.
79’ - CLOSE! Brighton have their first shot on target. From a corner, the ball falls to sub Bernardo around 20 yards out and he hits a low shot that Kepa saves.
PLAYER RATINGS:
CHELSEA: Kepa 4, Azpilcueta 5, Christensen 5, Emerson 6, Kante 5, Jorginho 5, Loftus-Cheek 8, Hudson-Odoi 8, Hazard 8, Giroud 8. Subs: Zappacosta n/a, Kovacic n/a, Willian n/a.
BRIGHTON: Ryan 5, Bruno 5, Duffy 6, Dunk 6, Bong 7, Bissouma 7, Stephens 5, Propper 5, Jahanbaksh 4, Andone 4, March 5. Subs: Knockaert 5, Murray 5, Bernardo n/a
KEY STATS
Callum Hudson-Odoi has been directly involved in nine goals in his nine starts for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring four and assisting five.
Brighton have not kept a clean sheet in each of their last 11 away league games.
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