Chelsea secured back-to-back Premier League wins as they beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-3 in an entertaining affair at Stamford Bridge.
The hosts raced into a two-nil lead inside the first 15 minutes courtesy of goals from Romeo Lavia and Pedro Neto.
Former Brighton striker Joao Pedro made it three just after the half-hour mark, before Malick Yalcouye volleyed home for the Seagulls shortly after.
When Joao Pedro diverted Pascal Gross' cross into his own net in the 63rd minute, Chelsea supporters were fearful of a collapse.
Cole Palmer restored the two-goal advantage ten minutes later to settle the home fans' nerves and they held on to win despite Gross' injury-time header.
It's been a good start to Xabi Alonso's Chelsea reign with successive Premier League wins, while Brighton will be looking to tighthen things up defensively when they take on Leeds United next weekend.
Chelsea v Brighton Timeline
4' - Goal for Chelsea. Scored by Romeo Lavia.
14' - Goal for Chelsea. Scored by Pedro Neto, assisted by Morgan Rogers.
32' - Goal for Chelsea. Scored by Joao Pedro, assisted by Jorrel Hato.
35' - Goal for Brighton. Scored by Malick Yalcouye.
55' - Yellow card for Chelsea awarded to Wesley Fofana.
65' - Goal for Brighton. Own goal scored by Joao Pedro.
70' - Yellow card for Brighton awarded to Lewis Dunk.
74' - Goal for Chelsea. Scored by Cole Palmer, assisted by Joao Pedro.
89' - Yellow card for Brighton awarded to Olivier Boscagli.
90+1' - Yellow card for Brighton awarded to Costinha.
90+6' - Goal for Brighton. Scored by Pascal Gross.
Chelsea v Brighton Match Stats
Chelsea | Brighton | |
25.6% | Possession | 74.4% |
17 | Shots | 15 |
6 | Shots on Target | 6 |
4 | Goalkeeper Saves | 1 |
6 | Fouls Committed | 12 |
4 | Corners | 7 |
218 | Total Passes | 628 |
67.4% | Pass Accuracy | 87.6% |
11 | Tackles | 9 |
63.6% | Tackles Won | 77.8% |
38 | Clearances | 13 |
1 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
0 | Red Cards | 0 |
