Chelsea edge Brighton 4-3 in Premier League thriller

Cole Palmer scored a brilliant late goal to secure a 4-3 victory for Chelsea over Brighton at Stamford Bridge on August 30, 2026, capping a dramatic Premier League match that saw the home side squander a three-goal lead before holding off a fierce fightback. The win marked a second consecutive victory for new manager Xabi Alonso, who began his reign with a 3-2 win at Fulham on August 25.

Chelsea dominated the opening stages, racing to a 3-0 lead within 32 minutes. Romeo Lavia opened the scoring in the fourth minute after a mix-up between Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and defender Mats Wieffer following a corner. Pedro Neto doubled the advantage in the 14th minute, tapping in a cross from Morgan Rogers. Joao Pedro then finished a swift counterattack, set up by a long pass from Rogers and an assist from Jorrel Hato, to make it 3-0.

Brighton, however, mounted a spirited comeback. Malick Yalcouye pulled a goal back just before halftime with a powerful volley that beat debutant goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The deficit was further reduced in the 63rd minute when Joao Pedro deflected a Pascal Gross cross into his own net, leaving Chelsea clinging to a 3-2 lead and prompting...