Chelsea continued their impressive opening to the Premier League campaign under Xabi Alonso with a dramatic 4 3 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge.
The hosts wasted little time taking control. Romeo Lavia opened the scoring after only four minutes, reacting quickest after confusion between Mats Wieffer and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen following a corner. It was Lavia’s first Premier League goal in Chelsea colours.
Pedro Neto doubled the advantage ten minutes later. Morgan Rogers powered forward before delivering a low ball into the penalty area, where Neto beat Ferdi Kadioglu and produced a clever outside foot finish.
Chelsea appeared to be cruising when former Brighton forward Joao Pedro added a third in the 32nd minute. Jorrel Hato carried the ball forward before finding the Brazilian, who made no mistake after missing an earlier opportunity.
Brighton refused to surrender. Emiliano Martinez denied Charalampos Kostoulas, but Malick Yalcouye reacted to the loose ball and struck home off the post for his first Premier League goal.
The visitors increased the pressure after the interval and were handed further hope when Pascal Gross’ delivery took a deflection off Joao Pedro and ended up in Chelsea’s net.
Cole Palmer soon restored Chelsea’s cushion. After collecting Joao Pedro’s knockdown, the England international advanced towards the edge of the box and guided a composed effort into the bottom corner.
Brighton continued pushing until the final whistle, with Gross heading into the top corner six minutes into added time.
However, Chelsea successfully protected their narrow advantage to secure a second consecutive league victory under Alonso.
The result moves the Blues up to third place before their upcoming clash with Arsenal, while Brighton finish the weekend sitting eighth.
