Chelsea eased to victory at Brighton to finally kick off the new year.

The Blues have been struggling for goals of late but ran riot on the south coast with Eden Hazard the star of the show.

Hazard opened the scoring inside three minutes at the Amex and Brighton barely had time to react before Willian made it two after a stunning move

The excellent Hazard added a third after the break before Victor Moses wrapped it up in the closing stages.

Here are five talking points.

1. Chelsea off the mark properly in 2018

Willian finds the net (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

It has taken a while but Chelsea finally have a proper win to celebrate this year.

At the sixth attempt the Blues bagged their first win in 90 minutes at Brighton after blowing the Seagulls away with two early goals in three first-half minutes and two late ones.

Some of their football, especially in the opening period, was thrilling as they carved the hosts apart.

At times Conte's forwards played like they were on a back-heel bonus.

This was a timely win for the Stamford Bridge side going into Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Arsenal.

2. Hazard the star of the show

Chelsea's Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard shoots to score their third goal (
Image:
Getty Images)

Reducing “tired” Eden Hazard's workload looked to have done him wonders.

He was hooked after just 58 minutes against Leicester last week, a decision that raised eyebrows, and only played the final 20 minutes against Norwich in midweek.

But against Brighton he was back to his very best. On this form few teams could live with him, let alone an out of form one sliding worryingly towards the bottom three.

Shane Duffy is booked for this tackle on Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard (
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Getty Images)

Hazard thrived back in a front three and relished being able to roam around the pitch into areas Brighton's defenders didn't want to follow him.

He scored the first – the 100 league goal of his career – had a hand in the second and added a solo third as he tormented Brighton in a sparkling display.

He was at the centre of all of Chelsea's best work.

3. Brighton shake it up

Tiemoue Bakayoko in action with Pascal Gross and Ezequiel Schelotto (
Image:
REUTERS)

Desperate times call for desperate measures and Chris Hughton shook things up significantly for Brighton.

Just one win in 12 games left Hughton with little choice other than to do something different.

There was a formation change to three at the back, in a bid to match Chelsea up, and missing were some big Brighton names – Glenn Murray, captain Bruno, previous record signing Jose Izquierdo and Anthony Knockaert.

The changes didn't lead to the right result but at least Hughton hasn't just sat on his hands while his side struggle.

You certainly can't fault him for trying.

4. Locadia will be an asset

Chelsea players celebrate scoring their first goal (
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Getty Images)

Jurgen Locadia was greeted like a hero when he was introduced to the Brighton fans before kick-off.

And the 24 year-old striker has not even kicked a ball for them yet. That's how much Chris Hughton's side need him.

They have lacked a consistent goalscorer and someone who can provide, pace, power and presence up top all season, something that was underlined against Chelsea.

Brighton broke their transfer record to bring in £14m Locadia to do just that and they could have done with having him available to hit the ground running.

Unfortunately he will be out until next month with a hamstring injury.

Chelsea's players celebrate (
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Getty Images Europe)

5 Moss makes the wrong call

At times Brighton looked in danger of being blown away. At others they posed Chelsea problems.

And they had every right to feel aggrieved at not getting one first half penalty.

Ezequiel Schelotto was certainly tripped by Willy Caballero's outstretched leg in the 17 minute but went down a little easily under pressure from Tiemoue Bakayoko in the 36 minute and was booked for his continuous protests.