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Chelsea got back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. The Premier League champions were made to struggle in the first half but two brilliant goals in the 2nd half got them the three points.
Alvaro Morata opened the scoring in the 46th minute with a beautiful header before Marcos Alonso headed in Chelsea's 2nd at the hour mark from a Cesc Fabregas corner.
The two goals were enough for The Blues to close the gap on 2nd placed Manchester United to a point. Here are the talking points from the game:
#5 – Same old story in the first half
Attack. Attack. Attack. But no goals at all. The Blues have dominated a lot of games this season but have failed to score even once.
It was the same thing again vs Brighton and it looked like they would be dropping points yet again. If it wasn't for Morata's goal early in the 2nd half, Chelsea fans would not have walked out with a smile last night.
Antonio Conte needs to add another attacking option to his squad in January or else there is no chance of him winning a silverware this season. The dependency on Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata is way too much.
#4 – Brighton need a striker
For a team that's playing in their first ever Premier League season, Brighton have done well. But if they want to remain in the league and fight for a Top 10 finish, they need to get a striker.
They have been linked with a move for Celtic's Moussa Dembele. The striker can surely bring the goals that Tomer Hemed and Glenn Murray have not been able to get them.
Brighton need to spend well and wisely in January or else they will be fighting for survival at the end of the season. That is something they don't deserve for the kind of performances their defenders have been putting in.
#3 – Practice crossing maybe?
Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso are the best wings backs at Chelsea. Actually, they are the only wing backs at the club. And that is something Conte needs to take care of.
The duo are very good at attacking, running in behind the opponents and ok-ish in defending. But one of the most important things to do as a wing-back is cross the ball into the box for the striker.
And that is something both of them just can't do on a regular basis. They produce some magical cross now and then but if it was a lot more consistent, Alvaro Morata would have scored double the goals he's already notched this season.
#2 – Bakayoko shows what he's got...again!
Tiemoue Bakayoko had a stunning debut vs Tottenham. But ever since, he was on a downfall.
He was making mistakes left, right and centre and that was costing Chelsea a lot. He was at fault for the goal Salah scored vs Chelsea and was unable to do anything creative up while attacking either.
However, the midfielder has now settled in properly and has shown the Chelsea fans what he's capable of! Antonio Conte would be hoping that Bakayoko does not stop performing like this and only get better from here on.
#1 – Important transfer window for both clubs
The transfer window opens in a few days and the clubs are already making some amazing signings. The mid-season window is the best opportunity for clubs to get players who can help them achieve their season's goal and it's going to be very interesting to see who signs whom.
Chelsea need a striker and a wing-back at any cost in January. Michy Batshuayi is not good enough to help Chelsea win a silverware and Marcos Alonso needs competition, or else he'll be performing at the same level.
Apart from that, Chelsea would also be benefited if they get an attacking midfielder who can play on the wings as well. They have been linked with Leon Bailey and Thomas Lemar and if they get one of them, it might be enough to win a piece of silverware.
Brighton, as mentioned in point #4, need a striker. Someone who can convert those half chances and pop up behind the opponents defence. Signing a midfielder would be a good thing to do as well.
