Chelsea 4-3 Brighton headlines busy early slate on Sunday

Chelsea and Brighton were at the races today, with Xabi Alonso’s hosts pulling out a 4-3 win.

“I am not excited,” Alonso said about his team’s big lead becoming a tight final score. “I am focused and thinking about the things that we have to do in the game with a 3-0. We played with the context of the result so we wanted to keep playing the game. We conceded 3-1 and when you go to half time with a half time lead you need to be aware and second half we could have scored another clear chance from Cole [Palmer] as well. Anyway we analyze but now it is time to enjoy a little bit.”

Here are Alonso’s words in full.

Pascal Gross made sure Brighton’s chase went to the wire with a stoppage-time goal, but Chelsea come away with all three points.

Sunderland edged a very tight game at the Stadium of Light, and they are off and running for the season after losing at Ipswich last weekend.

In many ways it was very similar to what they did so well under Regis Le Bris last season, as they stayed compact defensively and were patient and waited for their moment to arrive to win a tight game.

Second half substitute Wilson Isidor hit the post but moments later scored the winner and Sunderland did just enough to win this game and were rewarded for forcing the issue more than Fulham in the second half.

As for Fulham, well, it’s two league defeats from two for their new manager Alvaro Arbeloa and they looked very weak in attack and only had a big chance through Josh King in the first half. That was pretty much it.

After two games Sunderland now have three points. Fulham remain on zero as concerns start to grow.

A few minutes ago substitute Wilson Isidor had a big chance to put Sunderland ahead but he hit the post.

Fair play to Isidor. He didn’t put his head down and now he has Sunderland 1-0 up.

Fellow sub Habib Diarra is set free down the right flank and his cross to Isidor is perfect.

The Haiti striker taps home to make it 1-0 and sends the Stadium of Light wild.

Regis Le Bris has the magic touch as his subs combine. Just over 10 minutes of normal time for Sunderland to hold on for the win.

Joao Pedro’s bid to block a dangerous Brighton cross winds up behind Martinez and the Seagulls are back within one after the hour mark.

Fulham break quickly through some lovely passing and Berge charges forward.

His pass released Gonzalo Garcia and he’s in on goal, but Nordi Mukiele does enough to force him a little wide and then blocks Garcia’s shot.

The corner comes to nothing as Palacios then shanks a shot high and wide.

Still, Fulham are trying to make things happen and break the deadlock.

Chelsea’s 3-1 lead over Brighton is well-earned as Joao Pedro has been a menace despite missing a terrific chance.

Brentford’s 1-0 advantage at Leeds is just as deserved as Chelsea’s, though the Bees could’ve already secured three points on another day.

That was very tight and tense at the Stadium of Light as the half time whistle blows and it’s 0-0.

Josh King had that big chance for Fulham, while Enzo Le Fee and Brian Brobbey are trying to get Sunderland going in attack but most of the play has been in midfield.

Just one shot on target in that first half and both teams will now have to decide when to go for it.

This game is there for the taking.

Kevin Schade has been all over the pitch and is the deserved recipient of the Bees’ breakthrough.

Keane Lewis-Potter’s cross from the left is escorted into the goal by a clever, deft finish.

Mali’s on the scoresheet.

Malick Yalcouye works the ball to Charalampos Kostoulas, who is thwarted for the moment by Emiliano Martinez.

The ball pops into the air.

Then it’s an aesthetically-pleasing smash from 20-year-old Yalcouye, who adjusted his body to pummel a side volley off the far post before it takes a tour of the back of the net and side netting.

Pedro gets his goal!

Chelsea are cruising through Brighton, who look like they are being put through a training drill.

Malo Gusto’s slick turn outside his own box helps key a clinical counter attack, with Jorell Hato sliding across for Pedro to push home.

Oh my, that is a massive chance for Fulham to take the lead at Sunderland.

And young Josh King knows it.

A lovely clipped ball over the top from Alex Iwobi finds the onrushing King and he takes a great touch to get the ball under control.

Robin Roefs is way off his line to try and shut the angle down.

That makes it tougher for King as the youngster lifts the ball over Roefs but it’s too high and flies over the crossbar.

Alvaro Arbeloa applauds from the sidelines. That was lovely stuff from Fulham and the best chance for either team in a very even game so far.

Oh, it should be 3-0 to Chelsea!

Neto has been unreal, and he sets up Pedro for a high xG chance from inside of 12 yards.

Pedro freezes Verbruggen and just needs to put the ball inside the far post.

He rolls it wide!

Through 20 minutes, Brentford have done a lot of things en route to goal without putting a one on the scoreboard.

Six different Bees have shot attempts, while Leeds have managed just one attempt toward the Brentford goal.

0-0, 23'

Joao Pedro’s flick to Morgan Rogers is turned toward goal, and the ex-Villa man turns the left corner to send an invitation through the six.

Pedro Neto darts in front Ferdi Kadlioglu to prod the ball over the line with the outside of his right foot.

Chelsea make three charges into the right side, winning a corner that leads to 1-0.

It’s a clean-up of a mess in the box as Joao Pedro headed the service toward the back post and neither Bart Verbruggen nor Mats Wieffer can deal with a chest-height bouncing ball.

Romeo Lavia lunges toward it and just gets it over the line for a third-minute lead.

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has been talking to Sky Sports before the game at Stamford Bridge and has been talking about signing Emiliano Martinez.

“We bring in a goalkeeper of world stature,” Alonso explained. “Big personality, winning mentality and we spoke yesterday and he felt ready to play, so here we go.”

Alonso also confirmed that Martinez trained with the Chelsea team yesterday and added that he is “one of those players that doesn’t need much to adapt, he knows the game, many of the teammates” and said he’s sure he will have a big impact straight away.

After their defeat at Ipswich on the opening weekend, the Black Cats make one change as Regis Le Bris brings in Mukiele for O’Nien at center back.

Sunderland starting lineup

Roefs; Meunier, Mukiele, Ballard, Reinildo; Sadiki, Xhaka; Hume, Le Fee, Angulo; Brobbey

New Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa makes just one change as Joachim Andersen comes back in after being suspended for the opening game of the season, a 3-2 home defeat to Chelsea.

Fulham starting lineup

Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Iwobi; Bobb, King, Palacios; Garcia

Daniel Farke makes just one change to his starting lineup from the team which won at Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend, with Okafor coming in for Wilson in attack.

Leeds starting lineup

Trafford; Rodon, Bijol, Muharemovic; Bogle, Ampadu, Stach, Justin; Aaronson, Okafor; Calvert-Lewin

Keith Andrews makes two changes from Brentford’s 3-0 home win against Spurs last weekend, with Jaidon Anthony and Mikkel Damsgaard coming in for Mathias Jensen and Dango Ouattara.

Brentford starting lineup

Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Sangare; Anthony, Damsgaard, Schade; Thiago

New signing Emiliano Martinez comes straight in to start for Chelsea in goal against Brighton.

He was only announced as a Chelsea player a few hours before kick off, but he’s starting with Mike Penders on the bench and Robert Sanchez not in the squad. Enzo Fernandez is also not in the squad as he continues to be linked with a move to Manchester City.

Brighton once again name a fluid team as Fabian Hurzeler’s side are perhaps the most flexible tactically in the league. It looks like they’re also playing a 3-4-2-1 formation to match up against Chelsea.

Chelsea starting lineup

Martinez; Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Lavia, Gusto, Hato; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro

Brighton starting lineup

Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Vuskovic, Dunk, Boscagli; Wieffer, Gross; Gomez, Yalcouye, De Cuyper; Kostoulas

Emiliano Martinez, 33, has completed his move from Aston Villa to Chelsea for a fee believed to be around $10 million.

Does that turn Chelsea into legit title contenders? Here’s more analysis on that.

The Argentine goalkeeper has been sensational for Villa over the last seven years and has become one of the best goalkeepers on the planet as he was key in Argentina’s World Cup win in 2022.

For many years Chelsea have badly needed an upgrade in their goalkeeping position and now they have it.

Martinez is a short-term fix and young Mike Penders will get the chance to develop underneath him.

After a number of mistakes, including at the start of this season, Robert Sanchez’s time as Chelsea’s No. 1 appears to be up.

Look away Spurs fans, here is the Premier League table.

Man City and new boys Hull City are the only two perfect teams at the moment, while Crystal Palace, Spurs and Coventry City have all lost their opening two games.

It’s very early, but with so many new managers in the Premier League this season (nine in total) getting off to a good start has perhaps never been more important across the league.

Premier League table for 2026-27 season, latest standings

1. Manchester City — 2-0-0, +4 GD — 6 points
2. Hull City — 2-0-0, +3 GD — 6 points
3. Newcastle United — 1-1-0, +2 GD — 4 points
4. Everton — 1-1-0, +2 GD — 4 points
5. Brighton & Hove Albion — 1-0-0, +4 GD, — 3 points
6. Arsenal — 1-0-0, +3 GD, — 3 points
7. Brentford — 1-0-0, +3 GD, — 3 points
8. Chelsea — 1-0-0, +1 GD, — 3 points
9. Ipswich Town — 1-0-0, +1 GD — 3 points
10. Leeds United — 1-0-0, +1 GD — 3 points
11. Liverpool — 0-2-0, 0 GD — 2 points
12. Bournemouth — 0-1-1, -1 GD — 1 point
13. Nottingham Forest — 0-1-1, -1 GD — 1 point
14. Fulham — 0-0-1, -1 GD — 0 points
15. Sunderland — 0-0-1, -1 GD — 0 points
16. Manchester United — 0-0-1, -2 GD, — 0 points
17. Coventry City — 0-0-2, -4 GD, — 0 points
18. Aston Villa — 0-0-1, -4 GD — 0 points
19. Crystal Palace — 0-0-2, -5 GD — 0 points
20. Tottenham Hotspur — 0-0-2, -5 GD, — 0 points

Sunderland lost at Ipswich Town on the opening weekend, while Fulham were just beaten at home by Chelsea in a thriller.

Both Regis Le Bris and Alvaro Arbeloa won’t panic but the respective Sunderland Fulham bosses will be hopeful of putting three points on the board today.

Sunderland have the Europa League to contend with this season which will stretch their squad to the limits. But they deserve this opportunity after a fairytale return to the Premier League last season.

Fulham have put their faith in Arbeloa and some of his new signings looked pretty sharp in attack against Chelsea and proved the Cottagers will be a bit more exciting to watch this season.

Both teams will be hoping for a midtable finish at the very least this season. And both will earmark this game as one they have to win.

Daniel Farke’s Leeds host Keith Andrews’ Brentford at Elland Road and both teams are looking to make it two wins from two to start the season.

Leeds got a late win at Nottingham Forest last week, while Brentford thumped Spurs at home.

Both of these teams have the advantage of no European action this season and after savvy recruitment this summer will fancy their chances of a top 10 finish, at the very least.

Farke has done really well to build Leeds up and kept them in the Premier League very easily last season.

The job Andrews has done at Brentford is quite remarkable and they just missed out on Europe last season and looked set to go close again.

This should be a very even, fun game in Yorkshire.

Below is info on how to watch all of the Premier League action kicking off at 9am ET, with three games coming your way.

Sunday 30 August
9am: Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion — USA — Watch online via USA
9am: Leeds United v Brentford — USA — Watch online via USA
9am: Sunderland v Fulham — Watch live on Peacock

It’s clear that Chelsea are far from the finished article under new boss Xabi Alonso but going forward they look absolutely sensational.

Joao Pedro is in red-hot form leading the line while magicians Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer are close friends and are having a lovely time creating chaos from the duel No. 10 roles.

In defense Chelsea were very open in their win against Fulham but it’s still a work in progress and some key players are likely to return in midfield to help with that balance issue.

Signing Emiliano Martinez in goal also makes a huge difference.

Still, it’s all about the attack for Alonso and those three look pretty unstoppable and will win Chelsea plenty of games this season.