'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chelsea cruised to a 4-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, moving up to third in the Premier League table.
The Blues were determined to succeed from the word go, scoring two quick-fire goals early on through Eden Hazard and Willian. Opponents Brighton put together a testing spell for the defending champions in an attempt to get back in the game afterwards, but, were well dealt with by their visitors, who increased their lead with a second goal from Hazard in the 77th minute.
Victor Moses would solidify Chelsea's afternoon of dominance over Brighton by adding the game's fourth and it would end that way, as manager Antonio Conte received the pleasing sight of his side returning to winning ways.
Trending
Here are five things we learned from an entertaining afternoon in Brighton.
#1 A quick-fire start breaks poor spell for Chelsea
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has come under fire for his side's performances recently, as the Blues have looked lacklustre. Before the game against Brighton, they managed to score just one goal in their previous four matches in all competitions.
The Italian would've been pleased then to witness his side score twice in the first six minutes of the match at the Amex Stadium, thanks to well-worked goals by Eden Hazard and Willian, helping to put to bed a poor run of form.
Also on show was a clear will and confidence to prove their critics wrong, as displayed by Willian's goal - a strong finish that succeeded two back-heel flicks from two of his teammates - and it's a finish that will certainly prove the cherry on top of a cake that is an important Chelsea win.
#2 Brighton should've had a penalty
The first half at the Amex Stadium was an easily frustrating one for home side Brighton. The Seagulls not only conceded two early goals but could've been awarded a penalty on two different occasions.
The first one saw Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero trip Ezequiel Schelotto in an unsuccessful attempt to get the ball off the Argentine. Referee Jon Moss ignored claims for a penalty by the Brighton defender, who was eventually booked for his protests.
Moss was again at the centre of Seagull fans' frustration as another challenge on Schelotto, this time by Tiemoue Bakayoko, saw him go down in the 18-yard box to no response by the Referee.
Whether or not Brighton deserved a penalty for either one of the challenges remains debatable, though, in a month when Video Assisted Refereeing has been a hot topic in English football, it can be said that had the technology been in play at the Amex Stadium, the Seagulls would've surely had a penalty - if not two.
#3 Hazard is Chelsea's go-to man in bad times
Whether it's gracious movement, creative passes or goals worthy of multiple replays, Eden Hazard has all it takes to be rightly considered Chelsea's most influential player. The Belgian continued his fine form this season by putting in an excellent performance against Brighton, getting on the scoresheet twice for his side.
Those goals saw the forward record double figures in terms of goals this season, scoring his 10th and 11th in all competitions, while easily being Chelsea's most outstanding player in attack.
The Brighton defenders simply couldn't live with Hazard's intelligence both on and off the ball and he will seek nothing more but to continue his good form in the coming games.
#4 Brighton's defence must improve
For all of Chelsea's brilliance in this game, Brighton will surely rue their performance from a defensive standpoint. As a newly-promoted side with the sole target of survival, putting in strong defensive performances, particularly at home, is very important, however, the Seagulls have so far struggled to achieve that.
The four goals they conceded on Saturday was an addition to the 29 they've conceded this season - 14 of which have come at home - and returning to the strong, compact performances Chris Hughton's men put in at the beginning of the should be a top priority, if they're going to improve on their current run of five games without a win and avoid relegation worries
#5 No debut for Barkley
One of the talking points ahead of this match revolved around midfielder Ross Barkley, with fans and experts all round wondering if the midfielder would make his official Chelsea debut, following a transfer from Everton costing £15 million.
Barkley, however, remained an unused substitute at the Amex Stadium, as his side romped to an impressive triumph, taking them to third place on the Premier League table. Chelsea's new number 8 will certainly have to patiently bid his time before taking to the field in a new shade of blue and staying focused and motivated will be his most important asset, as he seeks to give his new manager a thing or two to think about.
In the meantime, Chelsea fans will remain excited about their new signing, whom they expect to blossom into a star.
