It's all Chelsea at the moment as they patiently pass the ball around inside their own half of the pitch. Unsurprisingly, they don't seem to be in too much of a hurry to push forward, as they look content to sit deep and comfortably run down the clock.
90' +2
Jose Izquierdo, who has barely touched the ball inside the Chelsea half of the pitch today, cuts inside from the left wing and unleashes an audacious effort from 30 yards out. Unsurprisingly, his long-range strike sails high and wide of the goal.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of added time.
88'
Chelsea move the ball around with purpose as they try to find one final goal to all but wrap up the win. Batshuayi isn't able to penetrate the penalty area but works the ball back to Azpilicueta, who unleashes a rocket of a shot from 35 yards out that doesn't miss the target by too much.
86'
Gross goes close! Knockaert cuts inside from the right wing and whips a wonderful cross into the heart of the penalty area. It looks set to pick out Gross in front of goal, but the ball ends up flying just a yard or so in front of the German.
85'
D. Drinkwater enters the game and replaces N. Kanté.
Chelsea have made their third and final switch, with Kante making way for Danny Drinkwater in the heart of midfield.
84'
Chelsea keep pushing forward and win themselves a free-kick over on the right flank, which is sent short and worked over to Kante. The Frenchman takes a quick touch and then shoots, but his thumping strike ends up rolling a few yards wide of the near post.
83'
Alonso embarks on a wonderful run as he sprints towards the edge of the Brighton box, where he's eventually tripped over by Stephens and wins his side a free-kick in a great position. It flies into the wall camped inside the penalty area, however, and Brighton are just about able to hold on once again.
82'
M. Batshuayi enters the game and replaces Álvaro Morata.
A. Knockaert enters the game and replaces S. March.
Brighton have made another change, with March making way for Anthony Knockaert.
Meanwhile, Michy Batshuayi has come on to take the place of Morata.
81'
Great opportunity for Murray! Brighton are able to string together a decent series of passes deep inside the Chelsea half of the pitch after pushing on a rare foray forward. March is eventually able to swing a lovely cross over to the far post and onto the outstretched foot of Murray, but the striker's effort is saved by Thibaut Courtois before the linesman's flag is rightly raised.
Minute
Description
80'
G. Murray enters the game and replaces T. Hemed.
Brighton have made a change up front, with Glenn Murray coming on to replace Hemed.
78'
Ouch! The set-piece is sent short and worked over to Moses just outside of the penalty area. The Nigeria international quickly shoots, but his effort is closed down and blocked by the groin of the Brighton midfielder, leaving him in quite a bit of discomfort.
77'
Moses twists and turns deep down the right flank as Chelsea come forward once again, but he can't quite pick out a team-mate in front of goal and has to settle for a corner after the ball is headed behind by Suttner.
75'
Kante muscles his way through a group of Brighton players and looks set to shoot from 20 yards out, but, despite the crowd's pleas, he doesn't do so and instead pokes a pass towards Fabregas. The Spaniard isn't able to do anything with the ball, however, and the attacking move quickly fizzles out.
73'
Willian enters the game and replaces E. Hazard.
P. Groß enters the game and replaces B. Kayal.
Meanwhile, Brighton have brought on Pasal Gross to take the place of Kayal.
Hazard receives a rousing round of applause from the home fans as he's replaced by Willian.
72'
Good play by Brighton deep inside the Chelsea half of the pitch sets up Kayal to spin and shoot from the edge of the penalty area, but he can't quite keep his strike down and sends it a few yards over the top of the crossbar.
71'
Chelsea are continuing to enjoy plenty of possession inside the Brighton half of the pitch as they push forward for a third goal. Fabregas cuts inside and tries to launch a cross into the penalty area, but he's unable to find his way past two players and ends up accidentally handling the ball.
69'
And now Bakayoko goes close to making it 3-0! Hazard showcases more wonderful skill as he dances his way into the Brighton box and towards goal. He's sent away from goal by the onrushing Ryan but spins and tees up Bakayoko, who quickly shoots and sends his strike just wide of the far post.
67'
What a block by Dunk! The corner fails to result in a chance on goal for Brighton and allows the home side to counter-attack quickly. Hazard twists and turns inside the box and eventually manages to fire a shot past Ryan, but Dunk is there to throw his body in the way of the effort on the line.
66'
Chance for Hemed! Schelotto and Solly March link up well over on the right wing, setting up the latter to swing a decent cross into the box. Hemed charges towards the ball and manages to latch onto it, but his headed effort is deflected behind for a corner.
64'
Suttner is able to push down the left flank and carve out a bit of space for himself, but his eventual cross into the Chelsea penalty area isn't hit well enough to find Hemed and ends up being easily blasted away by Gary Cahill.
62'
It's all Chelsea at the moment as they continue comfortably holding onto possession inside the Brighton half of the pitch. The visitors are finding it impossible to get on the ball, and they've been left sitting incredibly deep as they try to avoid going further behind.
60'
Marcos Alonso has scored a goal for Chelsea! Assist by Cesc Fàbregas.
GOAL! Third time lucky for Alonso! Yet another Chelsea corner manages to pick out the Spaniard at the near post, and this time he's able to send a glancing header past Ryan after being left all alone in front of goal.
Fabregas did really well to pick out Alonso with a curling cross, but Brighton will be really frustrated with their defending there. They left the wing-back all alone, allowing him to easily latch onto the ball just a few yards away from goal.
59'
Another excellent chance for Alonso! The resulting corner is taken quickly and whipped right onto the head of Alonso, who takes on Ryan again but loses out to another great save from the goalkeeper.
58'
Great strike by Alonso! The Spaniard steps up and unleashes a wonderful curling shot that looks set to find the top right-hand corner of the net, but Ryan is there to push it behind with an excellent diving stop.
57'
D. Stephens gets yellow.
Morata picks up the ball just outside of the Brighton penalty area and is brought crashing to the ground by a poor challenge from Stephens, resulting in a yellow card for the midfielder and a free-kick for Chelsea in a very dangerous position.
56'
Chelsea have started the second half much better than they ended the first, and it's causing Brighton all sorts of problems at the back. The home side are pushing forward with more purpose and intent, with Morata now playing a much bigger role in the game.
54'
Beram Kayal screams towards the Chelsea penalty area on a wonderful run, and he's clumsily brought from behind by Kante just as it looks as if he's going to penetrate the box and shoots. It's Suttner who shoots from the set-piece, but it's underhit and crashes into the wall camped in front of him.
52'
Almost another chance for the home side! Chelsea win themselves a corner over on the right flank, and it's one they take very quickly. They completely catch out Brighton as Hazard tries to cut a pass back from inside the box, but the visitors are just about able to poke the ball out for another corner before anyone can get a shot away.
50'
Another long ball is fired towards the Brighton penalty area as Chelsea try to catch out the visitors once again, but this time the pass into the box is overhit and Ryan is easily able to deal with the danger.
48'
What a chance for Hazard to make it 2-0! Fabregas fires a world-class lofted pass deep into the Brighton half of the pitch and straight to Bakayoko. The Frenchman controls the ball well and pokes it over to Hazard, who quickly shoots and sends his low strike agonisingly wide of the far post.
46'
Álvaro Morata has scored a goal for Chelsea! Assist by César Azpilicueta.
We're underway once again!
That really was a great cross from Azpilicueta, who is certainly enjoying a brilliant understanding with Morata. The defender often picks out his fellow Spaniard with his crosses, and one again his excellent ball caused all sorts of problems for the visitors.
GOAL! What a start to the second half from Chelsea! Azpilicueta picks up the ball in space over on the right wing and immediately whips a wonderful cross into the middle of the Brighton box. Morata easily peels away from his marker and latches onto the ball before sending it flying past the outstretched limbs of Ryan.
45' +1
Chelsea push forward on one final attacking move before the half-time break, but Morata isn't able to do much with a well-placed Azpilicueta cross, as he's dealt with really well by Dunk and Duffy and ends up sending his headed effort well wide.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
44'
A lofted pass is thumped forward by Fabregas and picks out Morata, who beautifully cushions the ball down to Hazard over on the right flank. The Belgian sprints forward and gets the better of Dunk before firing a cross towards the near post, but it's sent too near to Ryan and is easily dealt with by the goalkeeper.
42'
Vital interception by Suttner! Fabregas and Hazard play a wonderful one-two between themselves over on the right-hand side of the visitors' penalty area, setting up the Belgian to dart along the byline. He looks set to cut a pass back to Bakayoko, but he's dispossessed by Suttner before he's able to do so.
41'
A pocket of space opens up 20 yards away from the Brighton goal once again and allows Rudiger to try and test Ryan with a quickly hit shot, but he's quickly closed down and ends up firing his hopeful strike comfortably wide of the goal.
39'
Hazard twists and turns deep down the left wing after linking up nicely with Bakayoko just outside of the Brighton box. He then spins and sets up Fabregas to shoot, but the Spaniard ends up firing his strike straight into the hands of Ryan, who is able to hold onto it without any problems.
37'
Moses is the latest Chelsea player to try and latch onto a hopeful ball into the box, but he's well marshalled by Suttner and ends up sending his headed effort behind for a goal-kick after being closed down well by the Austrian.
35'
Fabregas picks up the ball in a promising position once again and quickly tries to tee up Bakayoko with a swerving cross, but it's slightly overhit and sails a yard or two over the head of the Frenchman at the far post.
33'
Almost a chance for Fabregas! Rudiger spots a clever run from Fabregas and almost manages to set up the Spaniard all alone inside the Brighton box, but the defender's ball into the penalty area ends up bouncing around a yard or so ahead of the midfielder before being collected by Ryan.
32'
Chelsea break forward at speed and manage to win themselves a free-kick 30 yards away from goal. It's chipped into the heart of the penalty area by Fabregas but fails to find a team-mate, as Brighton are easily able to clear the danger.
30'
Brighton are able to string together a decent series of passes once again, but a misplaced pass is fired down the right flank and fails to pick out Schelotto, handing possession back to Chelsea once again.
28'
Chelsea have enjoyed a decent amount of possession so far, but they're struggling to do much with it against a well-organised and resolute Brighton back line. The visitors have sat deep and soaked up the pressure, denying their opponents too many clear-cut chances on goal.
26'
Great chance for Moses! Fabregas picks up the ball midway inside the Brighton half of the pitch and immediately sends a wonderful lofted pass into the penalty area and over to Moses. The wing-back rushes onto it and shoots, but his close-range effort is well saved by Ryan at the near post.
25'
Hazard is just about able to squeeze his way into the right-hand side of the Brighton box before seeing his low cross poked away at the near post. Fabregas has a chance to shoot but instead spins and finds Kante, who eventually unleashes a strike of his own but can't beat the wall of black shirts on the edge of the penalty area.
23'
Schelotto looks to have shepherded the ball behind for a goal-kick, but the referee instead awards a free-kick to the home side, much to the disbelief of the defender. The set-piece bounces around the penalty area dangerously before falling to Bakayoko, who shoots but scuffs his effort well wide of the goal.
21'
Chelsea are able to find more joy over on the right flank after Moses and Cesar Azpilicueta link up well, but the latter can't quite pick out a team-mate inside the box and sees his cross easily headed away by Lewis Dunk.
19'
What an opportunity for Bakayoko to open the scoring! Chelsea come back immediately after Brighton aren't able to clear the ball for long. A deep cross is sent over to the far post and picks out Rudiger, who quickly nods the ball down to Bakayoko. The midfielder is all alone just a few yards away from goal, but he's taken by surprise by the German's nod-down and pokes a rushed shot just inches wide of the post.
18'
Victor Moses twists and turns deep down the right wing as he tries to find a way past Suttner, but he isn't able to do so and has to settle for a corner. It's whipped in by Fabregas and heads towards the near post, but Schelotto is there to clear the danger.
16'
Schelotto gets the better of Alonso deep down the right flank and side-foots a swerving cross into the Chelsea penalty area. It's met by a blue shirt but only cleared as far as Davy Propper, who quickly shoots but has his strike charged down quickly.
14'
Almost a chance for Tomer Hemed! Markus Suttner gets himself into a really good position out wide and quickly curls a dangerous cross into the middle of the Chelsea box. Hemed does well to rise high and just about latch onto the ball, but he's put off by Antonio Rudiger and can't make decent contact.
13'
Brighton are finally able to string together a decent series of passes after being forced on the back foot early on, but they're unable to find a way through a sea of blue shirts and eventually have to play the ball all the way back into their own half of the pitch.
11'
Marcos Alonso picks up a loose ball over on the left wing and Chelsea push forward once again. He plays a quick one-two with Hazard on the edge of the penalty area and looks set to tee up the Belgian to shoot, but Dale Stephens is there to dispossess Hazard with a well-timed sliding tackle.
9'
Now it's Cesc Fabregas who is guilty of giving away possession cheaply, but, luckily for the Spaniard, both N'Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko are able to close down quickly to win the ball back for the home side on the halfway line.
7'
Brighton clumsily lose possession midway inside their own half of the pitch and allow Chelsea to counter-attack quickly, but Morata can't do enough with the ball and ends up running into traffic on the edge of the box.
5'
Alvaro Morata darts his way into the left-hand side of the Brighton box and skips past Shane Duffy with ease. He heads towards the near post and takes on Mat Ryan, but the goalkeeper does well to close down the angle and knock the ball behind for a corner that's well defended by the visitors.
3'
After an even start to the game, it's Chelsea who pushed forward on the first attacking move of the day. A lofted pass is fired up towards the penalty area and almost picks out Eden Hazard, but the Belgian is just beaten to the ball by Ezequiel Schelotto.
1'
We're off! Brighton get us underway, attacking from left to right.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Premier League game between Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea head into this afternoon’s game still three points behind second-place Manchester United after they were held to a goalless draw by Everton last time out, but they’ll certainly be feeling confident about their chances of returning to winning ways this afternoon. The Blues have lost just one of their last 11 Premier League games, with each of their last five home clashes ending in victories.
That good run of form for Chelsea has helped them close the gap between themselves and United, and at the moment it’s those two sides who are battling for second place. Antonio Conte’s men have looked as good without Alvaro Morata as they have without the striker, but the Spaniard’s return today means this afternoon’s clash could end up being a tough one for their opponents.
It’s been a tough few weeks for a Brighton side that started the season well, but they will have felt incredibly relieved to have beaten Watford on the weekend to bring an end to their seven-game winless run in the Premier League. They squeezed past the Hornets thanks to Pascal Gross, who found the back of the net for the first time in over a month to move them five points clear of the relegation zone.
Brighton have found it tough on their travels this campaign, with just two of their away games ending in victories. The last came against bottom side Swansea at the start of November, and since then they’ve lost all of their three league clashes away from home while failing to score a single goal. Against top six sides, they’ve managed to find the back of the net just once this season.
There’s just under 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
Chelsea substitutes: Caballero, Ampadu, Zappacosta, Drinkwater, Willian, Pedro, Batshuayi.
Chelsea XI (3-5-1-1): Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Rudiger; Moses, Fabregas, Kante, Bakayoko, Alonso; Hazard; Morata.
Antonio Conte has decided to make three changes to the Chelsea side that drew with Everton on the weekend, with Gary Cahill, Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata coming into the starting line-up to replace Andreas Christensen, Willian and Pedro, respectively.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
Meanwhile, Brighton boss Chris Hughton has made four alterations to the team that featured in their last outing, with Bruno Saltor, Connor Goldson, Anthony Knockaert and Pascal Gross making way for Ezequiel Schelotto, Shane Duffy, Beram Kayal and Jose Izquierdo.
HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 0-0 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
It hasn't been the most exhilarating of games, to say the least. Chelsea have comfortably been on top but have struggled to do much with the ball, as Brighton have sat deep and soaked up the pressure with plenty of impressive defending. The visitors have found it difficult to carve out too many chances at the other end, but there's no doubt Chris Hughton will be incredibly pleased with how his side have performed so far.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: CHELSEA 2-0 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Chelsea weren't at their best in the first half, but they came alive after the break and never looked like losing after taking the lead through a great Morata header. From then onwards, it was an incredibly comfortable evening for the Blues, who were rarely troubled by a Brighton side that offered very little in front of goal.
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