In a highly eventful match, Cole Palmer delivered a remarkable performance, scoring four goals before halftime as Chelsea secured a 4-2 victory over Brighton. The Blues, aided by Palmer’s brilliance, overcame some defensive blunders to take all three points in an unforgettable contest.
The game began with Chelsea falling behind after just seven minutes due to a major mistake by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. He rushed out of his goal in an attempt to claim a high ball under pressure, only for Brighton’s Georginio Rutter to win the header and score with Sanchez stranded far from his post. Despite the early setback, Chelsea regrouped and immediately sought an equalizer.
Cole Palmer, the standout of the match, almost drew Chelsea level shortly after, striking the post. Just a minute later, he found the back of the net, but his goal was ruled out for offside. Undeterred, Palmer made no mistake when Nicolas Jackson capitalized on a misjudged clearance by Adam Webster, setting up Palmer for his first legitimate goal of the match.
Although Chelsea appeared to have scored a second when Jadon Sancho found the net, VAR intervened, ruling the goal offside. However, Palmer soon doubled Chelsea’s lead, converting a penalty after Sancho was fouled in the box in the 26th minute. The midfielder completed his hat-trick in spectacular fashion just four minutes later with a superb free-kick from 25 yards out, leaving Brighton’s goalkeeper no chance.
Despite Chelsea’s dominance, Brighton remained dangerous. Just five minutes after Palmer’s third goal, Carlos Baleba pounced on another mistake by Sanchez, reducing the deficit to 3-2. But Palmer wasn’t finished yet, scoring his fourth goal with a precise low strike into the bottom corner before halftime.
The second half saw a noticeable drop in intensity, with both teams unable to replicate the frenetic pace of the opening 45 minutes. Chelsea, content with their lead, managed the game more cautiously, with few notable chances for either side. Despite Brighton’s persistence, they could not break through Chelsea’s defense again, ensuring Palmer’s first-half heroics were enough for the win.
Chelsea Player Ratings
Robert Sanchez (3/10):
Sanchez endured a nightmare performance, being directly responsible for both of Brighton’s goals. His poor decision-making for the first goal saw him rush out needlessly, leaving his goal exposed. His errant passing also led to Baleba’s strike. While he made a few decent saves later on, his errors were costly, and Chelsea’s victory came in spite of his struggles.
Malo Gusto (5/10):
Gusto was solid going forward, delivering a few dangerous crosses into the box. Defensively, he faced some difficulty containing Brighton’s attack, but he was more effective in the final third.
Wesley Fofana (5/10):
Fofana had a mixed display. He was composed with his distribution out of defense but struggled physically against Brighton’s forwards. He was also booked for a rash challenge in the second half.
Levi Colwill (4/10):
Colwill had a rough outing. He was unable to clear the ball in the buildup to Brighton’s opener and found it hard to cope with the opposition’s high intensity. His passing out from the back was below his usual standard.
Marc Cucurella (6/10):
Cucurella played with aggression and tenacity, getting stuck into challenges. He was involved in the chaos that led to Brighton’s first goal but showed determination throughout. He had a volley ruled out for offside in the second half and was later substituted.
Midfield
Moises Caicedo (5/10):
Caicedo looked off the pace, particularly in the early stages. He was caught flat-footed in the lead-up to Brighton’s opening goal and was dispossessed before Baleba’s strike. He made a few important tackles but overall seemed to struggle in midfield.
Enzo Fernandez (6/10):
Fernandez had some moments of brilliance, dictating play from midfield and consistently looking to feed Palmer with incisive passes. He was booked in the second half but remains a vital part of Chelsea’s midfield setup. He was substituted late in the game.
Attack
Noni Madueke (6/10):
Madueke was lively down the right flank, always eager to take on his man and create opportunities. He struck the post in the first half but was slightly less impactful than some of his attacking counterparts. He was substituted around the hour mark.
Cole Palmer (10/10):
Palmer delivered a sensational performance, scoring all four of Chelsea’s goals. His composure in front of goal, vision, and technical ability were on full display. From a penalty to a long-range free-kick and a clinical finish, Palmer was unstoppable. His contributions were crucial, not just in scoring but also in his overall play, as he linked up well with teammates and orchestrated attacks.
Nicolas Jackson (7/10):
Jackson was pivotal in Chelsea’s first goal, pressing high and forcing Webster into a mistake before setting up Palmer. He came close to scoring himself, seeing a shot cleared off the line early in the second half. Although he didn’t find the net, his energy and pressing were vital to Chelsea’s attacking approach.
Jadon Sancho (7/10):
Sancho had a strong performance, frequently testing Brighton’s defense with his dribbling and passing. He thought he had scored in the first half, only for VAR to rule it out. He also won the penalty that Palmer converted, playing a crucial role in Chelsea’s attacking setup.
Substitutes
Pedro Neto (6/10):
Neto replaced Madueke and brought some energy to the right wing. He had a few moments where he drove forward with the ball, but by the time he came on, Chelsea were primarily focused on maintaining their lead.
Renato Veiga (6/10):
Veiga came on for Cucurella and slotted in at left-back. He helped Chelsea see out the game and was reliable in defense during his brief appearance.
Mykhailo Mudryk (N/A):
Mudryk replaced Sancho late in the match but didn’t have enough time to make an impact.
Christopher Nkunku (N/A):
Nkunku was brought on with just a few minutes remaining, replacing Jackson. He didn’t have time to influence the game.
Romeo Lavia (N/A):
Lavia made his return from injury, coming on for Fernandez late in the game. Like Nkunku, he didn’t have enough time to get involved.
Manager
Enzo Maresca (7/10):
Maresca has molded Chelsea into one of the most unpredictable and chaotic teams in the league. While there are certainly defensive issues that need addressing, particularly with Sanchez’s performances, Maresca’s attacking setup continues to bear fruit, especially with Palmer pulling the strings.
