Courtois, Blues ready for dogged Brighton

Dec 24, 2017 - 3:45 PM Thibaut Courtois has warned Chelsea to expect more of the same against Brighton after a frustrating Premier League stalemate with Everton.

The reigning champions were unable to find a way past Toffees goalkeeper Jordan Pickford at Goodison Park on Saturday despite having 25 shots and 68 per cent of possession.

Sam Allardyce's side proved to be a resolute unit that Antonio Conte's Blues were unable to break down and goalkeeper Courtois is expecting Brighton, who visit Chelsea on Boxing Day, and Stoke, who make the trip to Stamford Bridge four days later, to operate with similar tactics.

"We want to finish the year well," Courtois told Chelsea TV.

"It's two difficult home games. Brighton is a team that are doing well in the Premier League. I think it will be the same - a defensive team trying to counterattack us, and Stoke will be the same.

"We just have to try and recover well. Everything comes fast after the new year so I think the manager will try to use all the players he has available.

"We have to be ready and show the manager we can play. If everyone does that we will be fine."

Everton failed to muster a single shot on target in a home game for the first time in six years as Courtois recorded his 50th clean sheet with Chelsea.

"It's a nice milestone," Courtois added.

"Goalkeepers and defenders like not to concede goals so clean sheets are nice.

"I'm very happy with the 50th clean sheet and hopefully soon we can have 100!"

Chelsea will have top scorer Alvaro Morata back against Brighton after the Spaniard served a one-game ban having accrued five yellow cards.

Source: AAP