Brighton vs Chelsea
The respective Brighton and Chelsea team sheets on Sunday were as follows.
Brighton: Ryan, Montoya, Balogun, Dunk, Bernardo, Gross, Stephens, Propper, Knockaert, Murray, March
Subs: Saltor, Bong, Kayal, Bissouma, Locadia, Andone, Steele
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Pedro, Hazard, Willian
Subs: Fabregas, Barkley, Loftus-Cheek, Caballero, Giroud, Christensen, Emerson Palmieri
Where was Alvaro Morata?
Alvaro Morata was absent from the Chelsea squad for the Brighton game.
That’s because the Spanish striker is out with a minor knee injury.
Morata was subbed out of Thursday night’s 2-2 draw against Vidi in the Europa League.
Of course, many Chelsea fans may be happy that Morata is absent as he’s been struggling in front of goal this season.
Morata has five goals and no assists in the Premier League this season.
Morata not in the starting line up again. Morata came off in Budapest injured, but was left out vs City despite being fit. #CFC #BHACHE
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 16, 2018
#Morata not in the #cfc squad – due to minor knee injury
— Simon Johnson (@sjstandardsport) December 16, 2018
Eden Hazard: Chelsea’s false nine
Maurizio Sarri also decided to leave Olivier Giroud out of his starting XI.
Instead, Eden Hazard was deployed in the false nine role in the Chelsea team.
Sarri has previously setup his former Napoli team to play a similar system in Serie A to great affect.
It’s also worth noting that Mateo Kovacic was back in the Chelsea team after a knock.
Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Alonso and Kante continue their run of starting every PL game. The first two have played the most minutes with 1440 completed in the league. #BHACHE #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) December 16, 2018
Hazard up top 🔝
Who needs Morata or Giroud? pic.twitter.com/FWqiJKO5mQ
— Goal (@goal) December 16, 2018
Also see: Brighton vs Chelsea live streaming: Watch online & confirmed line-ups.
Liverpool vs Manchester United betting tips: Premier League preview & predictions.
