Football

STAMFORD BRIDGE, LONDON — Cole Palmer stepped up to secure the points as Chelsea made it two Premier League wins from two in the Xabi Alonso era with a helter-skelter 4-3 win over Brighton.

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Fabian Hurtzeler’s team hammered Aston Villa 4-0 last weekend but were caught cold as Bart Verbruggen erred in the fourth minute and Romeo Lavia found a nice, improvised finish.

Pedro Neto tore forward from right wing-back to make it 2-0 and former Brighton striker Joao Pedro revelled in piling further misery upon his former employers.

Malick Yalcouye crashed home a close-range volley off the post to reduce the arrears, and the visitors started the second half with a purpose that appeared to startle Chelsea.

Joao Pedro’s action-packed afternoon continued when he inadvertently diverted Pascal Gross’ cross into his own net. Nerves then gripped Stamford Bridge, before Palmer strode forward to dispatch a sumptuous strike from the edge of the box — adding to his goal in the 3-2 win at Fulham on Monday.

VINTAGE COLE PALMER. 🔥
Have a DAY, Stamford Bridge! pic.twitter.com/C6Sxq94bF8

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 30, 2026

Gross thumped home a header in thr sixth minute of stoppage time, but that left no time for a final Brighton rally.

MORE: Tottenham’s defeat to Newcastle as it happened

Chelsea vs. Brighton score

Location: Stamford Bridge, London
Referee: Michael Oliver

Chelsea starting lineup:

3-4-2-1 right to left: 26. Martinez (GK) — 3. Fofana, 5. Lacroix 6. Colwill — 7. Neto 27. Gusto, 45. Lavia, 21. Hato — 10. Palmer, 17. Rogers — 9. Joao Pedro

Brighton starting lineup:

4-2-3-1, right to left: 1. Verbruggen (GK) — 27. Wieffer, 44. Vuskovic, 5. Dunk, 24. Kadioglu — 13. Gross, 21. Boscagli — 25. Gomez, 29. 35. Yalcouye, De Cuyper — 19. Kostoulas

Chelsea player ratings vs. Brighton

All ratings are on a 10-point scale.

Starters

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez — 6

What a difference a week makes for Chelsea’s latest new signing. Last weekend, Brighton were running Aston Villa ragged and ramming goals past Martinez. Opposite number Bart Verbruggen suffered that fate here, while Martinez saved tidily from Diego Gomez and was unfortunate on the first Brighton goal. Saved more impressively from Gomez before Albion made it 3-2, the deflection off Pedro Neto leaving him with no chance. 

Right center-back: Wesley Fofana —5

Not all players will adapt seamlessly to Alonso’s preferred formation, but it might work well for Fofana. The former Leicester man has frequently looked exposed in the middle of a back four at Stamford Bridge but defended everything in his channel on the right of Chelsea’s back three with authority before the break. Booked as Chelsea scrambled under pressure at the start of the second half, looking more vulnerable and was substituted.

Middle center-back: Maxence Lacroix — 7

Appeared instantly at home at Stamford Bridge in an authoritative start. Relishes the basic business of defending but will not have enjoyed being out-muscled by Charalampos Kostoulas for the Brighton goal. Also lost Dario Gomez for a headed chance. Trusted to marshal a changed defence through to full time.

Left center-back: Levi Colwill —6

Like Fofana, a player who seems perfectly suited to his role. Also like Fofana, neat, tidy and unflustered before the game got on top of Chelsea. Alonso decided Pep Chavarria was a better bet to see the game out.

Right wing-back: Pedro Neto: 8

Linked with a move away for large portions of this summer, Neto might just end up being integral. He was happy to tuck into a back five out of possession and attacked with menace, linking well with Rogers and tearing into the box to convert Chelsea’s second. He should have had an assist when Joao Pedro missed a sitter. Ransacked Ferdi Kadioglu before the hour as Alonso’s side almost made it 4-1, but was withdrawn as his manager turned towards more defensive-minded players with the game on the line.

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Central midfielder: Malo Gusto — 6

An eyebrow-raising selection in central midfield, with Moises Caicedo unfit to start and the Enzo Fernandez saga rumbling on. The all-action full-back did not look out of place when Chelsea were in the ascendancy but could not turn the tide as Brighton made the hosts suffer after the break. Reverted to a more familiar wing-back role when Alonso rung the changes.

Central midfielder: Romeo Lavia — 7

Responsible for another fast Chelsea start in the fledgling Alonso era. A very useful time to score his first Chelsea goal. Lavia is obviously a class act. He still needs to build towards full match fitness, something demonstrated by Brighton taking hold of the game after the break.

Left wing-back: Jarrel Hato— 7

Burst forward brilliantly from inside his own half to create Joao Pedro’s goal. Another who looks very well-suited to his role and battled well as Brighton turned the tide.

Attacking midfield: Cole Palmer — 8

Not especially effective during the first half, but the fact Chelsea could produce such an entertaining, goal-laden half without Palmer being at the absolute heart of things is encouraging in itself. Volleyed over from close range to punctuate Brighton’s dominance early in the second half and, with the game on the line, sublimely settle the argument. 

Attacking midfield: Morgan Rogers — 8

Linked wonderfully with Neto early on, gave the Portugal international an assist and dropped deep to release Hato for the third goal with a measured pass. A thoroughbred of a footballer. Quieter after the break. Happy to muck in with the unglamorous stuff but was arguably caught napping for Gross’ consolation

Striker: Joao Pedro — 8

An eventful outing. Revelled in the barracking he received from his old club’s supporters, most notably when he coolly scored the third goal. A wonderful player to watch and clearly brimming with confidence. Only marked down slightly for his horror miss and one hilariously misjudged backheel into midfield. Not a great deal of blame to be apportioned for the own goal. He wasn’t done there either as he got the assist for Palmer. Man of the Match.

Beautiful football from João Pedro. 👏 pic.twitter.com/9jKZyt3k2P

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 30, 2026

Substitutes

Reece James (for Lavia ’68) — 7

Chelsea’s leader stepped up when they needed him. A typically assured presence who did not arrive a moment too soon.

Moises Caicedo (for Neto ’68 ) — 4

Wasn’t fit to start, was thrust into action by Brighton’s fightback and lasted less than a quarter of an hour before hobbling off in anguish.

Josh Acheampong (for Fofana ’68) — 5

Didn’t put a foot wrong as Chelsea held out

Pep Chavarria (for Colwill) — 5

Bolstered the defensive effort but unable to get near Gross for his goal.

Valentin Barco (for Caicedo ’82) — 5

Another ex-Brighton man barracked by the away fans. James offered lengthy encouragement as soon as he came on and the young Argentine acquitted himself tidily.

Chelsea coach vs. Brighton

Xabi Alonso: 8

It’s always intriguing to see how a back three will match up against a back four and which side makes the most of the space on offer. Chelsea comprehensively won this battle before halftime, with Alonso constantly cajoling his players whenever Brighton had the ball. His big calls, notably the wing-back selections and Gusto in midfield, came off during a scintillating opening half hour, and he has a front three to fear. 

Chelsea’s drop-off towards the end of the first half was a mild cause for concern for Alonso, and one that will have grown as they began the second period in lackluster fashion. Barked at Josh Achempong to get ready to come on quicker after Brighton made it 3-2. Was proactive in making changes to hold onto the lead. The sight of Chelsea losing control of a match as they have done so often over recent seasons vindicates Alonso’s moves to add more experience to his squad.

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