Chelsea extended their winning streak to four matches with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge, in a game that saw all six goals scored in a frenetic first half. Cole Palmer was the star of the show, netting an extraordinary four goals before the break, breaking Premier League records, and setting up a comfortable lead for the Blues in a chaotic but enthralling encounter.
Fast Start and Early Setback
The game started at breakneck speed, with both sides launching quick attacks, but it was Brighton who struck first. Just seven minutes into the match, Georgino Rutter headed home after a scramble in the Chelsea box.
Marc Cucurella and Levi Colwill were caught in a chaotic moment, and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez failed to punch the ball clear, allowing Rutter to nod in from close range. The early goal shocked the Stamford Bridge crowd, and Brighton’s relentless pressing suggested it could be a long afternoon for Chelsea.
There was a brief delay after the goal as both Cucurella and Rutter received treatment for head knocks, but the goal stood, and Brighton continued to apply pressure with Danny Welbeck forcing a reflex save from Sanchez.
Cole Palmer Takes Control
Despite the early setback, Chelsea began to assert themselves, with Cole Palmer emerging as the game’s key figure. The England international came agonizingly close to scoring 20 minutes in, lifting a delicate shot over Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, only to see it bounce off the post.
Moments later, Palmer thought he had equalized when he latched onto a ball from Enzo Fernandez and slotted it into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Undeterred, Palmer kept pressing and finally got his reward in the 21st minute. After capitalizing on a poor backpass by Adam Webster, Nicolas Jackson selflessly squared the ball to Palmer, who finished into an open net to level the score.
Chelsea quickly shifted into overdrive, and Palmer soon made his mark again. A few minutes later, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba clumsily bundled Jadon Sancho over in the box, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty. Palmer stepped up with confidence and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, putting Chelsea ahead.
Hat-Trick Hero and Record-Breaker
As the first half progressed, Palmer continued his dazzling performance. In the 31st minute, he completed his hat-trick in style with a perfectly executed free-kick, curling the ball into the top corner from just outside the box. The three goals in just 10 minutes saw Palmer write his name into the history books as the first player to score four goals in the first half of a Premier League match.
However, Brighton did not back down, and their high-pressing tactics paid off again when Baleba capitalized on a poor pass out from the back by Sanchez, slotting the ball past the Chelsea goalkeeper to pull one back in the 34th minute. But any hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed as Palmer struck again in the 41st minute, finishing from close range after a superb through-ball from Sancho.
Second Half: Chelsea in Control
After a frenetic first half that saw six goals, the second half began with Chelsea maintaining their dominance but without the same frantic pace. Jackson had a couple of early opportunities, first forcing a sharp save from Verbruggen and then seeing his effort cleared off the line by Webster after rounding the Brighton goalkeeper.
Chelsea continued to create chances, with Marc Cucurella briefly thinking he had scored against his former club, only to see his effort ruled out for offside. Jackson also came close to finding the net several times, including a low shot that went narrowly wide after being set up by Pedro Neto. Despite the continued pressure, Chelsea couldn’t add to their tally, but they comfortably saw out the remainder of the game.
Brighton’s Resistance Fades
Brighton, for all their attacking efforts, began to tire in the second half and struggled to find the energy to mount a serious comeback. The introduction of young talent Evan Ferguson and substitutes like Enciso and Ayari provided some fresh legs, but Chelsea’s defense, marshaled by Colwill and Wesley Fofana, held firm.
Late in the game, Enzo Maresca brought on Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia, the latter making his long-awaited return from injury, as Chelsea calmly saw out the closing stages.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
With the 4-2 victory, Chelsea continue their push up the Premier League table, having now won four consecutive matches. The Blues will next turn their attention to European competition as they host Gent in their first UEFA Conference League group game at Stamford Bridge on Thursday. They’ll then face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday, where they’ll look to continue their excellent run of form.
Key Performers
Cole Palmer: A stunning performance from the forward, scoring four goals in the first half, including a penalty and a spectacular free-kick. He became the first player in Premier League history to score four goals in the opening 45 minutes of a match.
Nicolas Jackson: Provided a vital assist for Palmer’s first goal and was a constant threat throughout the match, though he was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet himself.
Enzo Fernandez: The captain controlled the midfield, providing key passes and an assist for Palmer’s fourth goal. He was instrumental in breaking up Brighton’s play and initiating Chelsea’s counter-attacks.
Match Details
Chelsea (4-2-3-1):
Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella (Veiga 70); Caicedo, Fernandez (Lavia 79); Madueke (Neto 63), Palmer, Sancho (Mudryk 70); Jackson (Nkunku 79)
Unused subs: Jorgensen, Disasi, Tosin, Joao Felix
Booked: Fernandez 29, Cucurella 33, Fofana 78
Goals: Palmer 21, pen 28, 31, 41
Brighton (4-3-3):
Verbruggen; Kadioglu (Minteh 71), Dunk (c), Webster (Igor 57), Estupinan; Baleba, Hinshelwood (Enciso 71), Wieffer (Ayari 57); Rutter, Welbeck (Ferguson 81), Mitoma
Unused subs: Steele, Lamptey, Samuels, Moder
Goals: Rutter 7, Baleba 34
Booked: Dunk 27, Estupinan 29
Referee: Peter Bankes
Attendance: 39,495
