Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri seems to have got some little reprieve for his job after successfully winning two consecutive games in a week.
The Italian’s side overcame a huge scare in Wales on Sunday, controversially beating Cardiff 2-1 thanks to an offside Cesar Azpilicueta goal and a late strike from Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
But against Brighton at Stamford Bridge last night, Chelsea looked much more like a side chasing Champions League football.
With Eden Hazard, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Loftus-Cheek all starting together for the first time, the Blues beat the Seagulls 3-0.
Olivier Giroud opened the scoring from Hudson-Odoi’s pinpoint cross, with Hazard and Loftus-Cheek then completing the scoring with two stunning long-range finishes.
The game was Hudson-Odoi’s first Premier League start with the club and he proved in 90 minutes why he should be in the XI week in week out already.
Operating on the right, Hudson-Odoi was a constant menace to the Brighton defence, showing some nice touches and delivering some brilliant crosses.
Willian and Pedro Rodriguez have not exactly been well-received by Blues fans this season and Hudson-Odoi’s injection of creativity and youthful exuberance was very much welcome.
The fact he can cross the ball consistently as well is also a huge bonus…
Speaking after the win, Hudson-Odoi said: “I am very happy for the win and we all worked hard. We had to get rhythm and bounced back well. Today we got told the team and had to prepare mentally.
“The manager told me to go and express myself. I feel comfortable, hopefully I did well.”
Maybe Sarri has finally realized the error in his ways.
Nurturing an academy player as talented as Hudson-Odoi will not only improve his team on the pitch, but improve his reputation among the Chelsea faithful.
After all, who doesn’t like seeing a local youngster thrive?