Xabi Alonso has kept up his perfect start as Chelsea manager, with the Blues making it two wins from two after a thrilling 4-3 victory over Brighton at Stamford Bridge. Emi Martinez made his debut in goal after his move from Aston Villa, while Cole Palmer scored the all-important fourth goal to seal the win.
Fans won over by entertaining style
Chelsea fans are notoriously hard to please, but no wonder Alonso has won them over already. This was a brilliant, entertaining and terrific seven-goal contest which had the Stamford Bridge faithful singing the new manager's name. They did not sing Enzo Maresca's name or Liam Rosenior, and Alonso is a former Liverpool player, so it could easily have been a hard sell.
But not with Chelsea playing like this. Yes, they conceded three and look shaky at the back, but they are also the great entertainers. Joao Pedro was electric, scored and played comedy villain with an own goal in front of the Brighton fans who gave their former striker pelters all afternoon.
Palmer and new signings shine
Predictably, Palmer stole the show with the all-important fourth goal to seal victory as he looks rejuvenated after his summer break through missing the World Cup. Martinez made his debut for Chelsea and, even though they concede far too many goals, at least they have a top quality keeper behind their rather unreliable defence. Pedro Neto shone in his new role as right wing back, and Chelsea look as if they could be realistic title challengers this season.
Chelsea's trip to reigning champions Arsenal next Sunday already looks like a blockbuster. But really it is the flair, the movement and skill of Chelsea's front three. Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers are as good as any forward line in the Premier League. Certainly no one missed Enzo Fernandez, who was missing again as he waits on a mega last-minute move to Manchester City, while the only real concern was Moises Caicedo limping off just 14 minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Fast start and a comeback scare
Chelsea have scored seven goals in their opening two games. But it is the entertainment value which gets Chelsea fans off their seats. They were ahead after just four minutes. Joao Pedro's header was cleared off the line, but Mats Wieffer got in a horrible mix-up with keeper Bart Verbruggen and Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia pounced to squeeze home. Incredibly, that was Lavia's first goal in four very injury disrupted years. His last goal was on August 30, 2022, for Southampton against Chelsea.
Chelsea made it 2-0 after just 14 minutes. Jorrel Hato's throw-in found Morgan Rogers and his low cross was swept in by Pedro Neto. Brighton's bench were furious because Hato's throw was so obviously taken from the wrong place. Joao Pedro missed a sitter to the delight of the Brighton fans. But their glee did not last long. Hato showed great strength to hold off Wieffer and then put over a low cross for Joao Pedro to score. It was 3-0.
Just three minutes later, Brighton gave themselves a glimmer of hope. Brighton striker Charalampos Kostoulas went through, Chelsea new boy Martinez saved bravely at his feet but Malick Yalcouyé smashed the loose ball in off the far post. Chelsea have not kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since last January. And worse was to follow. Martinez can expect to be busy. Then the comedy punchline. Pascal Gross's low cross was deflected in off Joao Pedro. The Brighton fans were lapping it up and, from 3-0 down, the fightback was on. This had turned into a sensational game at 3-2.
But Brighton could not seize the opportunity. It was left to Palmer to steal the show again. Palmer strode forward from midfield, had time to pick his spot and fired into the bottom corner to make it safe at 4-2. Still there was time for one more goal as Gross got a third for Brighton in the 96th minute. Clean sheets are a worry, but who cares when you play such great attacking football? Chelsea fans don't seem bothered.
