Chelsea see off Brighton with Eden Hazard the star
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea consolidated fourth place in the Premier League with a 2-1 win at Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday that became harder work than had seemed likely in the first half.
Having won 4-0 at the Amex Stadium last season, they were on course for a repeat after taking a 2-0 lead at the interval.
Eden Hazard set up the first goal for Pedro after 17 minutes and scored the second himself before halftime following a defensive error.
Brighton came back into contention through Solly March's goal midway through the second half and Lewis Dunk went close to an equaliser.
The home side have not beaten Chelsea in any competition since 1933 but they stayed 13th in the table, nine points clear of the bottom three places.
Chelsea moved three points clear of London rivals Arsenal, who were beaten at Southampton. Reuters
PREVIEW
What time does it start?
Brighton vs Chelsea kicks off at 1:30pm (GMT) on Sunday 16th December.
Where can I watch it?
The match will not be shown live on TV or online in the UK.
Independent Sport will keep you up to date with all the goals as they fly in via our live blog.
Highlights will be shown at 10:15pm on BBC Two.
Player to watch…
David Luiz: After a torrid individual display at Tottenham three weeks ago, the Brazilian scored and played superbly in Chelsea’s win against Manchester City last week. As unpredictable as ever, the 31-year-old defender has solidified a partnership with German Antonio Rudiger at the back, and the Blues have only conceded 13 goals in the league this season.
Form guide…
Brighton: LLDWWL
Chelsea: LWWLWD
Odds…
Brighton to win: 15/2
Chelsea to win: 11/25
Draw: 17/5
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
Southampton 2-1 Arsenal, 46 minutes
And they nearly do immediately...
It is a deft flick round the corner from Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who looks to have slotted the ball through Alex McCarthy's legs but the Southampton goalkeeper just about does enough to keep it out.
Close.
Brighton 0-2 Chelsea, 48 minutes
An almighty scramble in the Brighton box and Eden Hazard should score his second, N'Golo Kante perhaps disrupting him as he looks to shoot. Both Kante and Pedro have efforts as the ball ricochets hither and thither, but Brighton survive on this occasion.
Southampton 2-1 Arsenal, 51 minutes
Jan Bednarek welcomes Alexandre Lacazette to the game with a choice challenge as Lacazette turns him down the Arsenal left.
A clear booking.
GOAL! Southampton 2-2 Arsenal (Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 53 minutes)
Oriol Romeu dilly-dallies in possession deep in his own half, and is dispossessed as Arsenal press well.
The ball breaks for Henrikh Mkhitaryan who lines up a shot from 25 yards.
The Armenian doesn't catch it particularly cleanly and Alex McCarthy is desperately unlucky to see it flick off of Jannik Westergaard's sizeable left boot and go into the opposite corner with McCarthy sprawled to his left.
Southampton 2-2 Arsenal, 55 minutes
The away crowd has been lifted and nearly have more to cheer as space opens up for Alex Iwobi to curl one.
Iwobi is looking for the far corner but gets too much elevation on the shot, sending it over the bar.
Brighton 0-2 Chelsea, 61 minutes
A first change from Chris Hughton. Glenn Murray comes off, with Florin Andone introduced.
Meanwhile, Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek may soon be joining proceedings. The pair are warming up for the visitors.
Southampton 2-2 Arsenal, 60 minutes
Southampton now with the momentum again.
Matt Targett can't connect cleanly with a shot arriving into the box, but the hosts come again.
Laurent Koscielny crashes into the back of Nathan Redmond on the edge of the box. A yellow card and a free kick in a very dangerous position...
Brighton 0-2 Chelsea, 63 minutes
A magnificent, dipping drive from Marcos Alonso very nearly extends Chelsea's lead, but instead cannons back off the post.
That would have been a fantastic goal.
Southampton 2-2 Arsenal, 63 minutes
The free kick comes to nothing with an Arsenal head there just ahead of Jannik Vestergaard looking to head it goalwards.
Unfortunately for Ralph Hasenhuttl Nathan Redmond won't be able to continue. Laurent Koscielny's challenge was rather firm and Redmond does not rejoin the action once he has trudged off with the medical staff.
Shane Long comes on. A shame - Redmond had worked very well with Danny Ings.
GOAL! Brighton 1-2 Chelsea (Solly March, 66 minutes)
Brighton back in it!
A prolonged spell of pressure from Chris Hughton's side eventually leads to Solly March finding space in the box, after a cross was headed back into the area by Bernardo.
March volleys past Kepa Arrizabalaga. 2-1.
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