Palmer seals seven-goal thriller as Chelsea edge Brighton

Chelsea survived a sustained Brighton fightback to win 4-3 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with Cole Palmer scoring the goal that ultimately separated the teams. The Guardian reported that Xabi Alonso’s side built a three-goal lead inside 32 minutes before Brighton reduced the deficit and threatened to complete a dramatic recovery.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x6OUOr81vA

Roméo Lavia opened the scoring in the fourth minute after Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen failed to control the ball following a Chelsea corner. Morgan Rogers then powered away from Luka Vuskovic and crossed for Pedro Neto to double the lead in the 14th minute. João Pedro made it 3-0 after Rogers’ flick released Jorrel Hato down the left and the defender supplied the former Brighton striker.

Brighton responded before half-time when Malick Yalcouyé volleyed in after Chelsea debutant Emiliano Martínez had blocked an effort from Charalampos Kostoulas. The visitors moved within one goal shortly after the hour when João Pedro diverted a Pascal Gross cross past his own goalkeeper. Martínez then denied Olivier Boscagli as Brighton pursued an equaliser.

Palmer restored Chelsea’s two-goal advantage with 16 minutes remaining. He collected a flick from João Pedro and curled his shot beyond Verbruggen, completing a productive afternoon for Chelsea’s attack. Brighton continued pressing and Gross scored deep into added time, but the late goal was not enough to prevent a 4-3 defeat.

Martínez started just two days after joining Chelsea from Aston Villa and conceded three times despite making several important saves. Alonso said the Argentina goalkeeper had indicated that he felt ready to play. The manager retained a 3-4-2-1 system, while Brighton were without Jack Hinshelwood, Yasin Ayari, Georginio Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh.

The result gave Alonso victories in his first two league matches as Chelsea manager. His team has scored seven goals and conceded five across those games, while using a transition-focused approach that produced only 26 percent possession against Brighton. Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler said his players showed belief in their quality, although he felt their performance merited more from the match.