Chelsea 2-0 Brighton and Hove Albion: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis | Premier League 2019-20 

Chelsea FC v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League
Chelsea FC v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League

Chelsea secured their first home league win of the season as they comfortably brushed Brighton and Hove Albion aside by a 2-0 margin. Goals from Jorginho and Willian helped the cause, as Frank Lampard also watched his side keep a maiden clean sheet of the season.

It could have, and should have been a lot more in terms of the score line, but with Chelsea having ticked all the boxes, the management would consider this result as a stellar day in the office.

The Blues had a pool of chances going their way, as they expressed immaculate energy with and without the ball. The Seagulls did scare a couple of times, but clear cut chances were sparingly witnessed.

The afternoon also marked a return in the Premier League for young Callum Hudson-Odoi, who capped off his 30-minute cameo with a fine assist following a daunting surge.

On that note, we look at the major talking points from Chelsea's comprehensive triumph over Brighton.


#1 Frank Lampard names an interesting line up, once again

Lampard plotted a unique 4-1-4-1 shape against Brighton
Lampard plotted a unique 4-1-4-1 shape against Brighton

Frank Lampard has exhibited a host of ideas since taking over at the helm at Stamford Bridge, with one of their being his willingness to adapt to situations, conditions and opponents.

He's played a 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-2-1-3 and even a three-man back line. Today, on paper, it appeared as though he started out with a 4-3-3. But, with Jorginho in the deeper role alongside no one else, it was more or less a 4-1-4-1.

The Chelsea holding midfielder enjoyed variety of space ahead of him, as two industrious midfielders in Ross Barkley and Mason Mount aided Willian and Pedro in attack.

The back four comprised of Cesar Azpilicueta, Fikayo Tomori, Andreas Christensen and Marcos Alonso. The Blues skipper was preferred ahead of young Reece James, while Christensen made his return in place of Kurt Zouma.

The sensational Fikayo Tomori kept his place in the side. Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi started on the bench, with Pedro and Willian occupying either side of the flanks.

#2 Chelsea dominate the first half but fail to add to the score line

Pedro saw as many as three chances in the first half for himself
Pedro saw as many as three chances in the first half for himself

The Blues completely dominated the first half, beginning the game at a very high tempo. They ran the races, moved the ball about real quickly and threatened Brighton by recollecting possession without any delay.

In the first 15 minutes, it was all Chelsea. And by the end of the first half, they had about 17 efforts to show for their attempts at breaking the deadlock. A host of chances went begging, and a feeling of uncertainty reverberated around Stamford Bridge.

Mason Mount's free kick from the left wing area ended up meeting the cross bar - a delivery that should have been headed in by an onrushing Tammy Abraham.

A stunning ball from Jorginho over the head of the Brighton center backs played Pedro in, but the Spaniard struck it straight at the chest of Matt Ryan.

The 36th minute was when Chelsea really should have opened the scoring. Marcos Alonso, with space down the left, chipped in a beautiful ball to Ross Barkley at the far post. The England international only chose to cushion it, but Ryan was equal to it.

Alonso himself was through on goal, but fluffed a sitter as well.

#3 Brighton fail to play out of the back as Jorginho scores from the spot

Jorginho, and not Ross Barkley, took the penalty for Chelsea
Jorginho, and not Ross Barkley, took the penalty for Chelsea

From what we've made of Brighton over the last couple of seasons since their return to the top flight, Graham Potter's refurbished side are building their own brand and style of play.

However, they were caught out at the back way too often for their liking. In fact, it looked like a matter of a mistake that would lead to a goal at the Bridge, and so it was, as Adam Webster's heavy touch got Mason Mount interested.

The Brighton center-half fouled the youngster, thereby awarding Chelsea a much-deserved penalty. Despite Ross Barkley being there on the pitch, Jorginho stepped up with his hop-and-stop technique to slot the ball past Ryan and put his side ahead.

Not only then, the visitors lost out on the ball in suicidal areas of the pitch many a time. The fact that Chelsea had 24 attempts on goal with 10 of them on target exemplified the same argument.

Brighton have a lot of work to do in terms of starting attacks from the back, as teams who press higher up the pitch could embarrass them in a more dramatic fashion.

#4 Defensive solidity and a Willian goal kill the game off

Chelsea FC v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League
Chelsea FC v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League

Chelsea put forth a solid performance down both ends of the pitch. They were far from clinical, owing to a conversion rate of 20%, but the home side got the job done without major setbacks.

Defensive discipline was key, as despite not having found the back of the net in the first half, Chelsea avoided any potential scares of an upset. The back four did much better than it has previously, and the Blues are slowly appearing to have found their gear.

And just when it looked like they needed a second after a string of opportunities, Willian's goal put the result beyond doubt. Callum Hudson-Odoi, who galloped forward and covered almost half the length of the pitch, supplied a fine pass to the Brazilian, whose deflected effort left the Brighton goalie with absolutely no chance.

#5 Fikayo Tomori is a serious talent

Chelsea FC v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League
Chelsea FC v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League

If recent games were anything to go by, Fikayo Tomori has adjusted to the Premier League like a duck to water. At the moment, he's making it all look so easy.

Ever since he made his debut, Tomori has not put a foot wrong. Last week, he was the silver lining against Liverpool despite the defeat, as he kept Mohamed Salah at bay throughout. The youngster was quick to cover ground, decisive with his tackle and the timing.

Today as well, he was right on top of his game. The Derby County player of the year 2018/19 stuck to his task, chipped in with tackles, looked extremely comfortable at the back and killed the danger even before it could reach the box.

He was simply peerless at the back, and formed a fine partnership with Christensen. Should he continue to put in shifts such as these, he could completely cement his spot at the heart of the Chelsea defence - even after Antonio Rudiger returns.

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