EPL: Chelsea survive Brighton scare

Chelsea defeated Brighton 4-3 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to maintain their perfect league record under new manager Xabi Alonso, surviving a late fightback after racing into a three-goal lead.

Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer scored for Chelsea, while Malick Yalcouye and Pascal Gross, who struck twice, led Brighton’s response in a dramatic encounter.

Chelsea took the lead after just four minutes when Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen fumbled the ball following a Joao Pedro header, allowing Lavia to tap into an empty net.

Neto doubled the advantage in the 14th minute, finishing from close range after Morgan Rogers delivered a precise cross.

The hosts appeared to have taken complete control when Joao Pedro made it 3-0 in the 32nd minute, finishing calmly against his former club after Jorrel Hato’s cut-back.

Brighton refused to collapse.

Yalcouye pulled one back before half-time after Chelsea debutant goalkeeper Emi Martinez saved from Charalampos Kostoulas, with the rebound falling kindly for the Brighton midfielder.

The visitors returned from the break with renewed intensity and reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 63rd minute.

Gross’ effort took a decisive deflection off Joao Pedro before wrong-footing Martinez and finding the corner.

Chelsea were under increasing pressure but Palmer produced the moment that settled the contest.

The England international collected the ball outside the box in the 74th minute, moved onto his left foot and curled a superb effort beyond Verbruggen.

Brighton continued to press and Gross scored his second goal deep into stoppage time, heading home from a cross.

But Chelsea held on as Brighton ran out of time to complete the comeback.

The victory gave Alonso a fourth consecutive league win since taking charge of Chelsea, keeping the Blues perfect in the league under the Spaniard.