Eden shines beside the seaside as Maurizio’s men sail into top four

CHELSEA’S Stamford Bridge home is often referred to as the Garden of Eden because of their superstar forward’s feats of heroism there.

But Brighton’s Amex Stadium might as well be renamed in Eden Hazard’s honour too because it is fast becoming his second favourite ground.

Hazard has only played there twice and on both occasions he has had the absolute run of the place.

Back in January, he scored two in a 4-0 romp on the south coast – and he had destroyed the Seagulls again by half-time yesterday.

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The Belgium star, playing in the centre-forward role he is not that keen on but often looks right at home in, made one for Pedro and then scored one himself inside 34 minutes.

It was Hazard’s first league goal since October, ending a seven-game drought. But he now has eight this season and could be on course for his best campaign ever.

Brighton did threaten a comeback when Solly March pulled one back with 24 minutes to go but Chelsea held on for their first away league win in three matches.

It also meant Maurizio Sarri’s side climbed above Arsenal and into the top four, just two points behind Tottenham in third.

With Alvaro Morata injured and Olivier Giroud struggling for goals in the Premier League, Sarri made the decision to go with Hazard up front.

It took only 17 minutes for the Belgium star to reward that decision by creating the breakthrough for Pedro.

Hazard jinked his way into the box and when his shot was blocked, pounced on the rebound to send over a superb low cross for the Spain forward to slam home at the far post. Marcos keeper Mat Ryan could only watch as the Belgian buried a shot into the bottom corner.

Hazard should have made it three shortly after the break but could not quite get a touch on another great cross, this time from Pedro.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton waited until the hour mark to change it, throwing on Florin Andone for the ineffective Glenn Murray in attack.

But only the width of the post denied Chelsea a third as Alonso let fly from 25 yards and beat Ryan with a blockbuster of a shot.

Then, out of nothing, the home side had hope.

Chelsea had three chances to clear it as Bernardo nodded Anthony Knockaert’s cross back into the danger zone.

They failed miserably, allowing March to nip in and finish from close range.

Alonso then escaped with a booking for bringing down March as the last man as Brighton went in search of an equaliser, but a Lewis Dunk header – which went wide – was the closest they came.