Chelsea close on United

AFP, LONDON: Alvaro Morata struck his 10th goal of the Premier League campaign as Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory over Brighton that moved Antonio Conte's side to within one point of second-placed Manchester United.

After struggling to break down Chris Hughton's side during a poor first half, the Blues took control with Morata heading the opening goal immediately after the restart before Marcos Alonso added the second on the hour.

The home side dominated the second period and the margin of victory could have been much more convincing if Conte's team had taken their chances. The game, though, provided further evidence of the importance of Morata to Conte's side, who struggled to break down Everton three days previously when the Spain international served a one-match suspension.

Conte wasted no time in restoring Morata to his starting line-up and the Chelsea head coach was forced into a change at the other end of the pitch with Gary Cahill coming in for Andreas Christensen, who was ruled out with illness.

Brighton arrived at Stamford Bridge having been lifted by the weekend win against Watford, their first victory in eight games.

But with meetings with Newcastle and Bournemouth -- both teams in the bottom half of the table -- to come over the holiday period, Albion manager Chris Hughton opted to make four changes to his line-up.

Saturday's matchwinner Pascal Gross was held back on the bench, along with winger Anthony Knockaert and skipper Bruno Saltor. The changes, though, appeared to have little effect on Hughton's side, who quickly demonstrated they were capable of making life hard for Conte's men.

And had striker Tomer Hemed not mistimed his jump when he rose to meet Markus Suttner's cross, they might have taken an early lead.

Chelsea struggled to find their momentum although they should have gone ahead in the 19th minute when Antonio Rudiger headed Cesc Fabregas's cross into the path of Tiemoue Bakayoko, who stabbed the ball wide from just four yards out. Fabregas was also the architect of Chelsea's other main chance during the opening 45 minutes when he chipped a pass into the path of Victor Moses as the wing-back sped into the Albion area before drawing a good save from keeper Mat Ryan.

Chelsea close on United

AFP, LONDON: Alvaro Morata struck his 10th goal of the Premier League campaign as Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory over Brighton that moved Antonio Contes side to within one point of second-placed Manchester United. After struggling to break down Chris Hughtons side during a poor first half, the Blues took control with Morata heading the opening goal immediately after the restart before Marcos Alonso added the second on the hour. The home side dominated the second period and the margin of victory could have been much more convincing if Contes team had taken their chances. The game, though, provided further evidence of the importance of Morata to Contes side, who struggled to break down Everton three days previously when the Spain international served a one-match suspension. Conte wasted no time in restoring Morata to his starting line-up and the Chelsea head coach was forced into a change at the other end of the pitch with Gary Cahill coming in for Andreas Christensen, who was ruled out with illness. Brighton arrived at Stamford Bridge having been lifted by the weekend win against Watford, their first victory in eight games. But with meetings with Newcastle and Bournemouth -- both teams in the bottom half of the table -- to come over the holiday period, Albion manager Chris Hughton opted to make four changes to his line-up. Saturdays matchwinner Pascal Gross was held back on the bench, along with winger Anthony Knockaert and skipper Bruno Saltor. The changes, though, appeared to have little effect on Hughtons side, who quickly demonstrated they were capable of making life hard for Contes men. And had striker Tomer Hemed not mistimed his jump when he rose to meet Markus Suttners cross, they might have taken an early lead. Chelsea struggled to find their momentum although they should have gone ahead in the 19th minute when Antonio Rudiger headed Cesc Fabregass cross into the path of Tiemoue Bakayoko, who stabbed the ball wide from just four yards out. Fabregas was also the architect of Chelseas other main chance during the opening 45 minutes when he chipped a pass into the path of Victor Moses as the wing-back sped into the Albion area before drawing a good save from keeper Mat Ryan.