Chelsea claim dramatic 4-3 victory over Brighton in landmark Joao Pedro game

Chelsea held off a spirited Brighton fightback to win 4-3 at Stamford Bridge and preserve their perfect start to the Premier League season.

The Blues made a blistering opening to Sunday’s second-round fixture, taking the lead after only four minutes when Romeo Lavia found the net.

Pedro Neto doubled Chelsea’s advantage 10 minutes later, putting the hosts firmly in control of the contest. Joao Pedro then added a third for Chelsea in the 32nd minute.

Brighton responded quickly, with Malick Yalcouye reducing the deficit three minutes later. Chelsea went into half-time with a 3-1 lead, but the visitors remained within reach.

Brighton moved closer shortly after the interval when Joao Pedro scored an own goal in the 63rd minute, giving the away side renewed hope of completing a comeback.

Cole Palmer restored Chelsea’s two-goal advantage in the 74th minute, seemingly giving his side enough breathing room. Brighton, however, continued to press and Pascal Groß scored their third goal in the sixth minute of added time.

Chelsea survived the late pressure to secure a 4-3 victory, moving on to six points from their opening two matches. Brighton remain on three points.

The match also marked the Chelsea debut of new signing Emiliano Martinez, who recently joined the club from Aston Villa.

According to Opta’s account on X, Joao Pedro became only the sixth player in Premier League history to score a goal, provide an assist and score an own goal in the same match. He is the first Chelsea player to achieve the unusual feat.

The previous player to do so was Son Heung-min, during Tottenham’s Premier League meeting with Manchester City in December 2023.

The game also produced a notable statistic involving Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso. His side have scored seven or more goals across his first two Premier League matches in charge, making him only the fourth manager to reach that total.

Bobby Robson’s team scored eight goals in his first two matches in September 1999, while Michael Laudrup’s side also managed eight in August 2012. Marcelo Bielsa’s team scored seven in September 2020.

Chelsea’s victory therefore extended an unbeaten start that began with a win in their opening league fixture, although Brighton’s response ensured the Stamford Bridge crowd were forced to endure a tense finish.

The hosts’ early attacking intensity appeared to have settled the contest before Brighton’s two second-half goals transformed the match into a dramatic conclusion. Chelsea eventually held on, with Palmer’s strike proving decisive despite Groß’s late effort.