Cole Palmer scored a superb solo goal as Chelsea held off Brighton to secure a dramatic 4-3 victory at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Xabi Alonso’s side raced into a commanding three-goal lead before Brighton mounted a determined comeback. The visitors eventually reduced the deficit to one, but Palmer’s individual brilliance proved decisive.
Chelsea make flying start
Chelsea needed only four minutes to break the deadlock after Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and Mats Wieffer failed to deal with a loose ball.
Romeo Lavia reacted quickest to the mistake and prodded the ball into the net from close range.
The hosts doubled their advantage 10 minutes later. Morgan Rogers delivered a low cross into the area and Pedro Neto arrived to finish the move and make it 2-0.
Chelsea then struck again in the 32nd minute following a quick counter-attack. Jorrel Hato produced an excellent run and pass before Joao Pedro rounded off the move to put the Blues three goals ahead.
Brighton launch second-half fightback
Brighton responded almost immediately, with Malick Yalcouye scoring from a rebound three minutes after Chelsea’s third goal.
The Seagulls continued to press after the interval and were rewarded when Joao Pedro inadvertently turned Pascal Gross’ cross into his own net shortly after the hour mark.
With Brighton threatening to complete an unlikely comeback, Palmer stepped up for Chelsea.
The England international collected the ball and produced a brilliant individual run before finishing to restore the hosts’ two-goal advantage with 16 minutes remaining.
Brighton refused to give up and Gross headed home a late third, setting up a tense finish.
Chelsea survived the closing stages to claim their second Premier League victory under Alonso.
Despite having only around a quarter of possession, Chelsea finished with a higher expected-goals figure of 2.97 compared with Brighton’s 1.49.
The defeat ended Brighton’s perfect start following their 4-0 victory over Aston Villa last weekend.
Chelsea now face a major test when they travel to reigning champions Arsenal next Sunday, while Brighton will host Leeds United at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
