Chelsea 2-0 Brighton player ratings, stats and reaction: Key Spanish duo combine again as Chelsea close gap on Man United

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Chelsea had Morata and Alonso to thank this evening, as the Spanish pair scored one goal each to see their side beat Brighton 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

The home side opened the scoring just seconds after the start of the second half, as a cross from Cesar Azpilicueta allowed Morata to head home to put the Blues 1-0 to the good. It the sixth time this season that Azpilicueta had assisted the former Real Madrid man.

Antonio Conte’s then doubled their lead in the 60th minute, as a cross from Cesc Fabregas saw Alonso head home to put Chelsea firmly in the driving seat.

The win means that the west London side are now just one point behind second place Man United in the Premier League table.

Player of the Match

Summer signing Alvaro Morata was top class today, with the Spanish international’s early second half header setting the Blues on their way to a somewhat comfortable victory.

Morata was brilliant in leading the line for the home side today, with the striker linking up well with Eden Hazard as his side swept the Seagulls aside.

This tweet sums up just how good the forward was this afternoon

Stat of the Match

Morata and Azpilicueta have become a deadly partnership since the striker’s summer arrival

Player Ratings

Chelsea: Courtois 6, Azpilicueta 8, Cahill 6, Rudiger 7, Moses 6, Fabregas 7, Kante 7, Bakayoko 6, Alonso 8, Hazard 7, Morata 8 / Subs: Batshuayi 6, Willian 6, Drinkwater 6

Brighton: Ryan 6, Schelotto 6, Duffy 6, Dunk 7, Suttner 6, March 6, Kayal 6, Stephens 6, Propper 6, Izquierdo 6, Hemed 6 / Subs: Knockaert 6, Gross 6, Murray 6

Reaction

A certain Spaniard took most of the plaudits following the Blues’ victory tonight, but it wasn’t Morata!

More Stories Alvaro Morata Antonio Conte Cesar Azpilicueta Cesc Fabregas Eden Hazard