Goals from Jorginho and Willian helped Chelsea to a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
The hosts were dominant for much of the afternoon, but failed to take advantage, needing Jorgingo’s penalty to open the scoring, before Willian’s deflected effort finally sealed all three points late on.
Frank Lampard was without French midfielder N’Golo Kante, but welcomed Andreas Christensen back into defence, with Ross Barkley asked to play a deeper midfield role alongside Jorginho.
The Blues started well and came close to opening the scoring midway through the first half when Tammy Abraham got the faintest of touches onto Barkley’s free-kick delivery but could only glance onto the far post.
Kepa Arrizabalaga had to be alert to deny Neal Maupay on his return to west London after his summer move from Brentford, while Barkley blew a golden chance to give the home side the lead after a terrific cross from Marcos Alonso.
The breakthrough came shortly after half-time, when Adam Webster felled Mason Mount and Jorginho resumed spot-kick duties to slot home.
Ryan denied Tammy Abraham from close range on the hour mark after an awful backpass from Lewis Dunk, before Dan Burn came within inches of levelling, heading into the ground and off the crossbar at the other end.
But Burn was soon even more unfortunate, as Willian’s strike deflected off him and past Ryan to seal the result.
Relive the action at Stamford Bridge!
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Lineups
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Tomori, Alonso, Barkley, Jorginho, Mount, Pedro, Abraham, Willian.
Subs: Caballero, Kovacic, Hudson-Odoi, Pulisic, Batshuayi, James, Guehi.
Brighton: Ryan, Webster, Dunk, Burn, Montoya, Bissouma, Stephens, Alzate, Gross, Maupay, Mooy.
Subs: Bong, Jahanbakhsh, Murray, Schelotto, Button, Baluta, Connolly.
