Willian scored Chelsea’s second goal against Brighton with a thumping effort from outside the box (Picture: Getty)
Willian scored Chelsea’s second goal against Brighton with a thumping effort from outside the box (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea rediscovered their swagger on Saturday afternoon at Brighton and many of their fans were left wondering if Alvaro Morata’s absence was more than a coincidence following a stunning return to form.

The club’s record signing made a bright start to his Premier League career but has scored just twice in his last 11 appearances in all competitions.

Morata’s misery was compounded in midweek when he was sent off against Norwich in an FA Cup third round replay, which forced him to sit out Chelsea’s first ever Premier League trip to the Falmer Stadium.

Antonio Conte opted to throw a lifeline to Michy Batshuayi, who has been linked with a January move to Sevilla, West Ham as well as Borussia Dortmund, and the results were immediate.

Eden Hazard opened the scoring for Chelsea after just three minutes against Brighton (Picture: Getty)
Eden Hazard opened the scoring for Chelsea after just three minutes against Brighton (Picture: Getty)

Eden Hazard opened the scoring after just 120 seconds when he skipped past one challenge and thumped the ball past Matt Ryan and Willian doubled the lead three minutes later with an equally emphatic finish following a flowing move that involved N’Golo Kante, Hazard and Batshuayi.

Morata is in line to make his return against Arsenal in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final but most Chelsea fans are hoping he remains on the sidelines for the time being….