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

• e-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. 

Chelsea full back Marcos Alonso lost his marker and glanced home a Cesc Fabregas corner to seal victory against Brighton

Alonso made a great run into the box, getting to the ball ahead of Chelsea team-mate Gary Cahill to score the second goal 

The Chelsea fans celebrate behind Alonso as the defender is congratulated by Alvaro Morata, scorer of the Blues' first goal  

Alonso salutes the Stamford Bridge faithful following his second-half goal; a well-taken glancing header at Stamford Bridge 

After a disappointing first half, Morata broke the deadlock one minute into the second period with this clever header

The Chelsea striker timed his run perfectly to meet Cesar Azpilicueta's stunning delivery and head home into the corner

Morata, the Spain international, celebrates by sucking his thumb after giving Chelsea a lead their dominance deserved 

The Chelsea players mob the goalscorer, having seen Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan make two great saves in the first half 

MATCH FACTS, PLAYER RATINGS, PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE AND MATCH ZONE

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.

Season at a glance

• Live tables
• Fixtures
• Scores

• Premier League
• Premier League
• Championship
• League One
• League Two
• Scottish Premiership
• Scottish Div 1
• Scottish Div 2
• Scottish Div 3
• Ligue 1
• Serie A
• La Liga
• Bundesliga

• More tables
• More fixtures
• More scores

Alvaro Morata (No 9) timed his run perfectly to meet Cesar Azpilicueta's stunning delivery and head home the opener. CLICK HERE for more of our Match Zone service. 

Advertisement

'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. 

The Chelsea players shake hands with their opponents Brighton prior to the Premier League kick-off at Stamford Bridge 

Morata had an early chance to test Ryan; the goalkeeper was off his line quickly to save from the Spaniard

Eden Hazard, the Chelsea playmaker, looks to use his agility and pace to get past Beram Kayal during the opening period 

Morata was heavily involved in early stages of the top-flight clash; this time he tries to shoot despite Lewis Dunk's presence

The first big moment of the half fell to Tiemoue Bakayoko, but midfielder missed the target before scuffing another chance

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.

Antonio Conte was his typical lively self on the Stamford Bridge touchline, delivering instructions to his Blues players

Brighton defender Shane Duffy uses all of his strength to challenge Morata, with the striker unable to compete for the ball

Chelsea's second big chance to open the scoring fell to Victor Moses, but the winger shot straight at Brighton keeper Ryan

Moses, the former Crystal Palace star, shows his frustration after wasting a great chance to give home side the lead

Morata appeared to be in some discomfort after challenging with Dale Stephens for the ball, with Hazard taking possession

'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 Seagulls were competitive in the first half, with midfield pair Stephens (right) and Davy Propper (left) proving vital 

Chelsea's first-half frustrations were evident in London, with Hazard showing his disappointment at another wasted chance

Hazard, who looked to make things happen for Chelsea during the first half, shouts in pain after being caught by Stephens

Brighton midfielder Stephens' momentum saw him clatter into Hazard, who felt the full effects of the strong challenge 

On the stroke of half-time, Morata appeared to be in yet more discomfort and was helped up by team-mate Azpilicueta

Morata complains to Premier League official Mike Dean, having endured a frustrating opening half at Stamford Bridge 

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. 

Morata was able to put disappointing first-half performance behind him and opened the scoring for Chelsea on 46 minutes

Brighton's players cut dejected figures after failing to keep a clean sheet, with Morata celebrating in front of his home fans 

The former Real Madrid and Juventus forward wheels away to begin the celebrations, having scored a well-taken header

There were plenty of robust challenges - this time it's Propper who is off the ground following an N'Golo Kante tackle

Colombia international Jose Izquierdo leaps highest to control the ball with his chest ahead of Chelsea wing back Moses

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. 

Conte, known for his wild antics on the touchline, shouts instructions to Cesc Fabregas during the Boxing Day clash

Alonso watches on with delight as his clever header makes its way towards the bottom corner for his fifth goal of the season

The defender was clearly delighted at scoring the goal, and was impressive throughout as Chelsea overcame Brighton 

Roy Hodgson, whose Crystal Palace team face Arsenal on Thursday night, was in the Stamford Bridge stands on Boxing Day 

Another familiar face in west London was Lord Coe (right), who was sat near Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck (left)