Brighton 2-0

Mail:

Chelsea 2-0 Brighton: Alvaro Morata and Marcos Alonso net second-half headers as Antonio Conte's men close gap on second-placed Manchester United

By Sami Mokbel for the Daily Mail

The intrigue was compelling. Not Chelsea's Boxing Day dismantling of Brighton; that was wholly routine. But it was Antonio Conte's post-match comments about Arturo Vidal that had the air of curiosity about them.

Spaniards Alvaro Morata and Marcos Alonso secured Chelsea's win over a well-organised Brighton, but all the commotion after the game was about a Chilean.
When questioned about reports of his interest in Bayern Munich midfielder Vidal, the Chelsea manager played the 'I don't speak about players from other teams' card. But then came the twist; Conte simply couldn't help himself.

'I must be honest, it's not right to talk about a player of another team,' said the Italian.
'Especially if you try to link this player with us. But Arturo is a fantastic player, I have a great respect for Arturo, and we spent many years in Juventus together.
'If we go to war, I'd always want him with me.' Out of nowhere, a curveball. Conte could easily have stopped at 'it's not right to talk about a player of another team'.

But he didn't. Why? Given Vidal is 30, there will certainly be opposition towards any swoop for the South American from within the Blues hierarchy. Chelsea's transfer policy is to target younger players approaching their peak.
Given the chance, though, the indications are that Conte would jump at the chance to have Vidal on board.

Not that he needed him on Boxing Day. After 45 minutes of monotony, Chelsea emerged victorious by keeping their heads. Quite literally.
What a bore this was until Morata planted his header past Mat Ryan to settle the anxiety that was manifesting at Stamford Bridge.

Alonso then notched with his own header to ensure Chelsea could breeze towards the final whistle.
In the end this was convincing from the champions. But barring the most spectacular of capitulations from Manchester City, this win will prove inconsequential in the title race.

But credit to Chelsea, they aren't gift-wrapping their trophy to City.
Conte said: 'I think in this league there is a great motivation for all. To try, I repeat, to stay there and to fight until the end, I don't know if it will win the title.

'It depends upon Manchester City. They are doing something extraordinary to win every game and draw only once up to now. But we want to work and improve.'
Despite the loss, Brighton left Stamford Bridge with their heads high; frustrating the champions for long periods.

But Chris Hughton's side could certainly do with some inspiration in attack. Celtic's prolific striker Moussa Dembele would certainly fit the bill.
But in response to suggestions Brighton have agreed an £18million deal with the Scottish giants, Hughton said: 'As manager of this football club, I'm quite sure I'd know. There's been no contact between the two clubs. That's speculation.'

The first half was low key, despite Cesc Fabregas' best efforts to shake Chelsea out of their snoozy start.
The Spaniard was at the heart of Chelsea's best moments during the opening 45 minutes. Not that it was much to write home about.
Tiemoue Bakayoko stabbed an instinctive shot from four yards wide after Antonio Rudiger headed Fabregas' deep cross back across the face of goal.
Ryan then denied Victor Moses' angled volley after Fabregas' chipped pass before the Spain international saw his own effort from the edge of the box held by the Brighton keeper five minutes before the break.

For Chelsea, it was all very uninspiring. Even Conte wasn't his super-charged self in the technical area. The only half-time consolation for the Italian was that his side's performance, certainly from an attacking perspective, couldn't get much worse.

And so it proved. It took Chelsea 45 seconds to take the lead after the restart. It was simple when it arrived: Cesar Azpilicueta's cross headed expertly home by Morata.
The tension eased. So did Conte's frustrations as Chelsea quickly shifted into overdrive. Eden Hazard rifled wide from 20 yards before Ryan produced a brilliant stop to deny Alonso's 30-yard free-kick.
The Brighton keeper was forced into another stop from the resultant corner, again denying Alonso this time from a bullet header.

But for Alonso, it was a case of third time lucky as he finally got on the scoresheet on the hour, glancing a header from Fabregas' corner past Ryan to ensure Chelsea cantered to their fourth win in five games.

Chelsea (3-5-2): Courtois 6; Azpilicueta 7.5, Cahill 6.5, Rudiger 7; Moses 7.5, Fabregas 8, Kante 7.5 (Drinkwater 85mins), Bakayoko 7, Alonso 7.5; Hazard 7.5 (Willian 73, 6.5), Morata 7.5 (Batshuayi 82).
Subs not used: Caballero, Pedro, Zappacosta, Ampadu.
Goals: Morata 46, Alonso 60.
Manager: Antonio Conte 7.

Brighton (4-2-3-1): Ryan 6.5; Schelotto 6, Duffy 6.5, Dunk 7, Suttner 6; Stephens 6, Propper 6; March 6 (Knockaert 82), Kayal 5 (Gross 73), Izquieredo 6; Hemed 5.5. (Murray 80).
Subs not used: Krul, Bruno, Baldock, Goldson.
Booked: Stephens.
Manager: Chris Hughton 6.
Referee: Mike Dean 6.5.
Man of the match: Cesc Fabregas.
Attendance: 41,568.