Chelsea vs Brighton result: Eden Hazard blows away Seagulls to keep Blues in top-four chase

Chelsea 3-0 Brighton: Goals from Olivier Giroud, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Hazard ensured all three points

Callum Hudson-Odoi marked his long-awaited first Premier League start with an assist as Chelsea eased past Brighton to maintain their top-four charge.

Olivier Giroud poked in Hudson-Odoi’s inviting cross from the right to score his first Premier League goal since November on 38 minutes, with Eden Hazard and Ruben Loftus-Cheek finding the net in the second half to make certain of a convincing Chelsea win.

This was a much more positive day for Maurizio Sarri, who was openly jeered and abused by Chelsea supporters during Sunday’s listless and fortunate win over Cardiff City, and gives the Italian fresh hope of delivering on his primary objective of Champions League qualification this season.

Nine days after his England debut and following months of lobbying from large swathes of the Chelsea support, Sarri finally handed Hudson-Odoi his first start in the Premier League as he made seven changes to the team that escaped from Cardiff with three points on Sunday.

The 18-year-old’s every contribution caused ripples of excitement around Stamford Bridge during an otherwise turgid first half as Brighton, five points above the Premier League drop zone at kick-off, stuck to an ultra-defensive game plan that suggested Chris Hughton would be delighted with a draw.

Sarri’s team selection did at least ensure patience from Chelsea supporters who have called for his sacking, even as much of the home side’s attacking play fizzled out before the Brighton penalty area. Eden Hazard and Hudson-Odoi struggled to find space or incisive connections with Giroud through the mass of bodies.

Hudson-Odoi’s first major involvement almost yielded the breakthrough. A clever Giroud layoff freed N’Golo Kante to drive at the Brighton defence and shift the ball to the academy graduate, who cut in on his left foot and unleashed a goal-bound shot that Shane Duffy deflected over.

Brighton’s forays into the Chelsea half were few and far between, though Yves Bissouma caused a moment of panic by skilfully beating both Hudson-Odoi and Cesar Azpilicueta before pulling the ball back for a stretching Florin Andone, who could not make a clean contact.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi both impressed for Chelsea (Reuters)

Giroud’s physicality created problems for Brighton in the other box, but an unmarked Hazard lashed over on his left foot after the Frenchman had drawn two Brighton defenders to him to battle for a floated David Luiz pass.

Hughton was forced into an early substitution, replacing the injured Solly March with Anthony Knockaert on 31 minutes, and the French winger’s inability to deal with Hudson-Odoi’s speed and trickery proved costly for Brighton.

A quick shift of the hips allowed Hudson-Odoi to work a yard of space darting towards the byline, and Giroud contorted his body elegantly to divert the young winger’s low cross into the roof of Mat Ryan’s net at the near post.

The goal settled Chelsea and they approached the second half with fresh confidence. Jorginho, quietly enjoying an impressive game at the base of midfield, found Hudson-Odoi with a floated cross to the back post, but the youngster nodded the ball straight into Ryan’s arms.

Hazard made sure of Chelsea’s victory with a trademark moment of class on the hour mark. Taking a sharp Loftus-Cheek pass in stride he turned, sold a Brighton defender with a clever dummy and curled the ball into the far corner.

Moments later Loftus-Cheek, given a rare central midfield start in the Premier League, scored a virtually identical goal, side-footing the ball into the top corner from 25 yards as Stamford Bridge chanted his name.

There was still time for Kante to mark his 100thPremier League appearance for Chelsea by shanking a dangerous Hazard cross from the left well over Ryan’s crossbar from well inside the six-yard box, but by then Stamford Bridge was in the mood to enjoy the levity of the moment.

More difficult days lie ahead for Sarri – not least with his many critics among Chelsea supporters – but here at least was a glimpse of how the Italian might survive a troublesome first season at Stamford Bridge.