Image source, Reuters

And with that I will bow out and switch over to the match report which you can access here.

We will also be running a live-text on Liverpool's late fixture with Swansea of course and will have stats pieces, quotes pieces and more up on the site for your Boxing Day perusal this evening.

Thanks for joining me. Chelsea are grinding along nicely, trying to catch the free-flowing wizards from the Etihad at the top.

A job well done and in routine fashion, just what a manager wants in a match during this busy period.

Jonathan Pearce
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Stamford Bridge

Brighton just haven't troubled Chelsea enough.

We will have three added minutes. This game was all over around 30 minutes ago.

Cesc Fabregas has played over 100 passes today and very few have gone astray until this one.

Brighton attack and win a free-kick which Shane Duffy connects with to head inches wide.

Anthony Knockaert, who has replaced Solly March, delivers an in-swinger and the ball is superb, causing panic as it flashes wide of the back post.

N'Golo Kante fires wide from 30 yards and is immediately replaced by Danny Drinkwater.

Brighton mount an attack and build with some patience in the final third. Again Solly March will deliver a cross and substitute Glenn Murray turns it at goal, forcing a save. The flag was up though - offside.

March will now go off, as will Alvaro Morata for Chelsea as Michy Batshuayi comes on.

This is very much a side in third gear cruising past a side flat out in sixth gear who are taking their engine to places it just doesn't want to go.

Willian looks busy since coming on but Chelsea are not forcing anything now. If they need to play backwards they do and as has been the case throughout, they are not being pressed at all.

A Victor Moses cross earns a 12th corner of the game.

Chelsea are getting a few substitutions ready. There's no need for them to risk anyone now in this busy period of fixtures. I think Eden Hazard may get the hook as a precaution.

Beram Kayal turns Antonio Rudiger well on the edge of the area but slams over.

It will be Hazard off, Willian on.

Image source, Reuters

Eden Hazard exchanges passes with Alvaro Morata to burst into the area and he's looking to walk it in as he rounds Mat Ryan. The Belgium international's momentum takes him a little wide and he back heels into the path of N'Golo Kante who skids a shot wide.

Solly March clips in a cross which almost allows Tomer Hemed to head home but for a deflection.

From the corner it's Brighton at mercy as Chelsea break at rapid pace. N'Golo Kante leads the charge and rolls Eden Hazard in. He shapes to shoot three times but feints before eventually beating the keeper with a low drive which is hacked off the line by Lewis Dunk.

Alvaro Morata is taking a few whacks here, Shane Duffy the latest to leave a bit on the striker.

The game is exclusively in the Brighton half now.

Image source, .

As the average positions show us, Chelsea have been able to push wing-backs Victor Moses (15) and Marcos Alonso (3) on.

Jonathan Pearce
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea are pouring it on, Brighton are wilting.

Marcos Alonso gives Mat Ryan the chance to show us what he can do not once but twice.

A trademark Alonso free-kick forces a superb diving save and from the consequent corner Alonso heads at goal, forcing a tip over the bar.

Jonathan Pearce
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Stamford Bridge

Stephens has had a nibble at Morata here and there. Like Christmas dinner - a nibble here, nibble there and when the meal comes you've no appetite.

There's a confidence to Alvaro Morata now as he slips between Dale Stephens and Lewis Dunk to force a foul. One-way traffic really and Chelsea in complete control.

Stephens is booked for another foul on Morata moments later.

Brighton win a free-kick 30 yards from goal and Markus Suttner can only find the wall. They must take any chance they get now. You get the sense there will be one opportunity at the very most.

Do we switch the lights out yet? I don't think Brighton have managed a pass in the first few minutes of this half. Eden Hazard conducting like he's at the Proms.