Chelsea beat Brighton 4-3 to extend perfect start

Chelsea extended manager Xabi Alonso's perfect start to the season with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, August 30, 2026. The win, Chelsea's second in two Premier League matches, saw the team race to a 3-0 lead before holding off a spirited Brighton comeback. The Blues made a blistering start, taking the lead in the fourth minute. A defensive mix-up between Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and defender Mats Wieffer from a corner allowed Romeo Lavia to poke the ball home from close range. Morgan Rogers then set up Pedro Neto to double the advantage in the 14th minute, and Joao Pedro scored against his former club in the 32nd minute to make it 3-0. Brighton, who had thrashed Aston Villa 4-0 in their opening match, fought back before halftime. Malick Yalcouye volleyed in a loose ball in the 35th minute to pull a goal back. The visitors further reduced the deficit in the 63rd minute when Pascal Gross's shot took a significant deflection off Joao Pedro and looped over goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.