sport news Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek shone for Chelsea against Brighton

For Chelsea fans, the performances of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek against Brighton came as no surprise.

The club’s two prized academy graduates had only one Premier League start combined going in to Wednesday night’s game, yet they rose to the occasion, breathing life in to a sluggish Chelsea team by both registering an assist.

Loftus-Cheek also scored the best goal of the evening, a wonderfully placed effort from 25 yards out in to the top corner. The question on every fan’s lips is now: ‘Why has it taken so long for Maurizio Sarri to start them?’

Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi both impressed for Chelsea on Wednesday

Loftus-Cheek scored Chelsea's third goal as they easily overcame Brighton at home

Loftus-Cheek scored Chelsea's third goal as they easily overcame Brighton at home

Hudson-Odoi provided an assist with a brilliant near post cross for Olivier Giroud's goal

Hudson-Odoi provided an assist with a brilliant near post cross for Olivier Giroud's goal

The omission of Hudson-Odoi, 18, is one that has particularly irked the Blues’ faithful this season. His only previous starts have come in cup competitions - two in the FA Cup, four  in the Europa League and two in the EFL Cup.

When given even a very limited chance, he has sparkled, racking up five goals and five assists in just 982 minutes of action. He terrorised Dynamo Kiev over two legs in particular, scoring both home and away.

Incredibly, the teenager was handed his full England debut before he was given a Premier League start. The dissent shown by Chelsea fans after he was an unused substitute at Cardiff on Sunday was as justified as it was loud.

It was the first time that manager Maurizio Sarri has started the pair in the Premier League

It was the first time that manager Maurizio Sarri has started the pair in the Premier League

His goals per minute ratio (196) is superior to that of Willian (377) and Pedro (279), the two main barriers to his regular inclusion in the team. 

Loftus-Cheek, 23, has found also found himself unreasonably stuck on the side lines, behind an ineffective Mateo Kovacic and an out-of-sorts Ross Barkley.

The midfielder has found the back of the net in both his Premier League starts this season, as well as chipping in with three more off the bench. His goals per minute ratio is 169 and he is the club’s joint-third highest goal scorer in the League.

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