Chelsea beat Brighton 4-3 in a thrilling seven-goal game to maintain their 100% record in the Premier League

Chelsea beat Brighton 4-3 in a frantic game to maintain 100% record in the Premier League

Chelsea won again in the Premier League under Xabi Alonso — but almost turned a dominant performance into a horror show.

In a seven-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge, the Blues raced into a 3-0 lead after just 32 minutes, allowed Brighton to fight their way back into the game, restored their two-goal cushion through Cole Palmer and had to hold on until the final whistle to secure a 4-3 victory.

Roméo Lavia scored his first goal for the Blues, Pedro Neto doubled the lead and João Pedro put Chelsea in a commanding position. Malick Yalcouyé pulled one back before half-time, while an own goal from João Pedro brought Brighton back into the game.

When the pressure mounted, Palmer stepped up.

In the 74th minute, the midfielder found the corner to make it 4-2. Pascal Groß scored in stoppage time, but it was too late for the visitors. Chelsea 4-3 Brighton.

It was Chelsea's second win in two games. The Blues have already scored seven goals, although they have also conceded five.

Chelsea are scoring plenty of goals, but they are also conceding too many.

The arrival of Dibu Martínez should provide more confidence and help address an issue Robert Sánchez was unable to solve.

First half: Chelsea race ahead, Brighton fight back

Chelsea needed just four minutes to open the scoring.

After a ball was floated into the box, Brighton's defense failed to clear and Roméo Lavia was there to finish.

Chelsea 1-0 Brighton.

It was Lavia's first goal for the club in a Premier League match — and another sign that the midfielder is beginning to put a period marked by injury problems behind him.

Chelsea did not slow down.

In the 14th minute, Morgan Rogers built the move down the left and delivered a low cross. Pedro Neto arrived in the box to finish first time.

2-0.

Brighton had the ball, but Chelsea were far more dangerous.

Hürzeler's side tried to control the game through possession, while the Blues found space to accelerate and attack the opposition defense.

In the 24th minute, João Pedro had a huge opportunity.

Pedro Neto won the physical battle with Kadioglu and delivered a cross into the box. The Brazilian was completely unmarked, but with time to bring the ball under control and pick his spot, he fired wide.

It was an unbelievable chance to make it three.

A few minutes later, however, he would get another opportunity.

In the 32nd minute, Chelsea won the ball back and quickly transitioned forward. Jorrel Hato found João Pedro inside the box with a low pass.

This time, the striker made no mistake.

Control.

Finish.

Into the net.

Chelsea 3-0 Brighton.

For anyone expecting a close game, the picture looked completely different.

Brighton, however, finally found a response.

In the 35th minute, Charalampos Kostoulas received the ball in the box and saw his effort saved by Emiliano Martínez.

From the rebound, Malick Yalcouyé arrived to strike the ball with power.

The ball hit the post and went in.

Chelsea 3-1 Brighton.

It was the first goal Martínez had conceded on his Chelsea debut.

Brighton grew in confidence.

Before half-time, Vuskovic tried his luck from distance and came close to finding the target.

Chelsea went into the break with the lead, but the feeling was no longer the same as it had been during the opening 30 minutes.

The Blues had opened up a three-goal lead. Brighton, however, had found a way back into the game.

Second half: Brighton fight back, but Palmer saves Chelsea

Brighton came out for the second half looking to increase the tempo even further.

In the 49th minute, Martínez showed good presence to save an opposition effort and immediately started a direct attack.

João Pedro brought the ball under control, drove forward and tried to finish, but the defense managed to block the attempt.

Shortly after, Brighton threatened again.

Diego Gómez found himself unmarked following a free-kick and headed just wide.

Chelsea were beginning to struggle.

In the 61st minute, Gómez had another opportunity and struck the ball with power. Martínez had to produce an excellent save to turn it behind for a corner.

Then came the second blow.

In the 63rd minute, Brighton executed a set-piece routine from a corner.

Pascal Groß received the ball and delivered it into the box.

The ball deflected off João Pedro and left Martínez with no chance.

Chelsea 3-2 Brighton.

Suddenly, a game that had looked settled was completely open.

Brighton controlled possession and pushed Chelsea deeper.

Alonso's side needed an answer.

And they found it through their main man.

In the 74th minute, Cole Palmer received the ball, drove forward and produced a precise finish from outside the box.

Chelsea 4-2 Brighton.

It was the goal that restored the hosts' composure.

Palmer stepped up at a decisive moment once again — exactly what Chelsea needed after allowing a three-goal lead to almost completely disappear.

When the game called for someone to take responsibility, Palmer stepped up.

Brighton still tried to find another goal.

But Chelsea managed the final minutes.

Until stoppage time.

In the 90+6th minute, Pascal Groß appeared inside the box and headed home to score the visitors' third.

Chelsea 4-3 Brighton.

But there was no time for anything else.

The final whistle confirmed an emotional victory for the Blues.

An increasingly entertaining Chelsea — with problems still to solve

The result keeps Chelsea at two wins from two, and Xabi Alonso's side have already scored seven goals in the Premier League.

But the performance also raises some questions.

Chelsea showed pace, aggression in transition and an ability to attack space.

But the defense continues to give opponents too many opportunities.

Brighton had 74.4% possession, the highest figure recorded by any Chelsea opponent in a Premier League game since this type of data began being compiled in 2003/04. The Blues, meanwhile, completed just 146 passes — their lowest total in a Premier League match during the same period.

That helps explain the type of football Alonso is building.

Chelsea do not necessarily need to control possession to control the decisive moments.

Emiliano Martínez makes his debut on a night of extremes

Emiliano Martínez's debut also deserves attention.

The Argentine arrived at Chelsea precisely to offer a different presence in goal and was immediately given a demanding test.

He conceded three goals.

But he also made important saves, particularly when Brighton threatened to level the game.

Martínez's arrival represents an important change in goal for Chelsea, who had been dealing with doubts over their goalkeeping position.

Robert Sánchez was placed on the transfer list, while Mike Penders remains a long-term option within the squad.

The idea seems clear: have an experienced goalkeeper take responsibility now, while the young Belgian continues his development.

A great team needs a great goalkeeper.

Martínez will have the responsibility of proving that Chelsea have finally found theirs.

The takeaway

Chelsea won.

And that is what matters most.

But the way they won also tells a story.

The Blues started with intensity, opened up a 3-0 lead, lost control, conceded two goals, found Palmer and had to survive until the final whistle.

This is a team that clearly knows how to attack.

They still need to show that they know how to manage a lead.

On the other side, Brighton can leave Stamford Bridge frustrated, but not without reasons for optimism.

After a first half well below expectations, the Seagulls responded, dominated possession and seriously threatened one of the most interesting teams at the start of the season.

Chelsea have six points.

They have scored seven goals.

And they have plenty of football to offer.

But they have also conceded five goals.

Xabi Alonso will have plenty to like about what he saw in attack.

And some problems to solve in defense.

For now, however, the numbers add up.

Chelsea 4-3 Brighton.

Two games. Two wins.

And Chelsea still have plenty of room to improve!