Enzo Fernandez scored twice and 10-man Chelsea overcame Conor Gallagher’s sending off to beat Brighton and Hove Albion 3-2 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Levi Colwill also scored for the Blues, who bounced back from a brutal 4-1 defeat away to Newcastle last weekend, and Brighton could only manage goals from Facundo Buonanotte and Joao Pedro in the loss.
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The Blues were on the front foot early and managed a goal after Gallagher collected his second yellow card, then held on late as Brighton pushed and pushed to get back into the game but could only find Pedro’s goal at the start of 10 minutes stoppage time.
There was a wild sequence at the end of stoppage time, as a cross clocked Colwill in the head while his arm was raised. A long review merely yielded a goal kick.
Chelsea pulls into 10th with 19 points, three behind eighth-place Brighton. The Seagulls will have to find positives from a week that saw them progress into Europe’s knockout rounds.
Blues respond to Pochettino’s call
Chelsea was very, very poor against Newcastle and Mauricio Pochettino was livid. This was a different Blues team, one that cooked up a pair of early goals and looked prepared to cruise through the first half, which finished with the Blues holding the Seagulls to 0.10 xG.
But Chelsea went into the break with just a one-goal lead and had to play the entire second half with 10 men as Gallagher joined Reece James’ last outing as Blues captains showing poor judgment while on yellow cards.
This was the opposite of a ‘no sweat’ positive response, as Chelsea had to show terrific resolve in front of Robert Sanchez and a Brighton crowd with little love for a Blues team that’s bought several of the Seagulls’ top stars in recent seasons. That includes Sanchez and Moises Caicedo, the latter of whom dodged multiple calls for seeming second yellow cards.
Mykhailo Mudryk then won a VAR-awarded penalty on a Raheem Sterling-authored counter attack, and Chelsea regained a two-goal lead. The Blues would need it, as Joao Pedro pulled one back while Chelsea had to fight through 10 minutes stoppage time.
They did, and Pochettino will no doubt be very proud (and a little angry with Gallagher).
What’s next?
Brighton hosts Brentford on Wednesday and Burnley on Saturday, while Chelsea goes to Manchester United on Wednesday and Everton on Sunday.
Chelsea vs Brighton final score: 3-2
Goal: Fernandez (17', 65'), Colwill (21'), Buonanotte (43')
Red card: Gallagher (45'), Pedro (90+2')
How to watch Chelsea vs Brighton live, stream link, time
Kickoff: 9 am ET, Sunday (Dec. 3)
TV channel: USA Network
Online: Watch via NBCSports.com
Chelsea vs Brighton player ratings
Chelsea vs Brighton player ratings (fotmob.com)
Chelsea vs Brighton player ratings (fotmob.com)
Chelsea vs Brighton live updates - by Nick Mendola
Joao Pedro goal
Brighton’s big summer buy has pulled one back as Chelsea’s going to have to hold firm through 10 minutes stoppage.
Enzo Fernandez penalty goal: Mudryk-won pen awarded by VAR
Mykhailo Mudryk and James Milner are fighting for position as Jason Steele comes racing out to meet the ball.
Mudryk’s bid to kick it before Steele can collect is stopped by Milner’s plant leg, as the ex-Liverpool man was trying to shield his keeper.
VAR review sees it as a pen. 3-1, Chelsea.
Conor Gallagher red card
This is silly from Conor Gallagher, who was already on yellow for a poor challenge.
Gallagher slides into Billy Gilmour and misses the ball while catching his former teammate with his follow-through.
Brighton will have the entire second half to find an equalizer and winner.
Facundo Buonanotte goal
A righteous answer from Brighton, as Facundo Buonanotte cuts onto his left foot and Levi Colwill apparently forgot that his former teammate can be a problem with it.
Well-hit, curled into the bottom corner of the far post, and Brighton’s back in this.
Levi Colwill goal: Jackson cues up Chelsea’s second
Celebrations only for a moment from Levi Colwill, as it dawns on him his goal is against his former club.
The goal is a near carbon copy of Fernandez’s marker, with Nicolas Jackson providing the assist this time.
Lewis Dunk’s absence looks to be a factor, as expected by many.
Enzo Fernandez goal video: Header puts Blues on top
Benoit Badiashile has his back to goal about 10 yards past the post, and chops a pass back over his head.
It’s in the perfect place for Enzo Fernandez, who jumps and nods it inside the post for 1-0 to the Blues.
Chelsea lineup
Your Chelsea today! 📋@ParimatchUK | #CFC | #CheBri pic.twitter.com/vgd609eFZy
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 3, 2023
Brighton lineup
TEAM NEWS! 🚨 Here's our starting XI to take on @ChelseaFC in the #PL today. 📝
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) December 3, 2023
📲 https://t.co/S3j1TIedJv // #BHAFC 🟢⚫️ pic.twitter.com/jDyi6cwFPH
Focus on Chelsea, injury news
OUT: Reece James (suspension), Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (torn ACL), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Christopher Nkunku (knee), Romeo Lavia (ankle), Malo Gusto (undisclosed)
Focus on Brighton, injury news
OUT: Ansu Fati (thigh), Julio Enciso (knee), Lewis Dunk (suspension), Tariq Lamptey (undisclosed), Solly March (knee), Mahmoud Dahoud (suspension), Pervis Estupiñan (thigh), Danny Welbeck (undisclosed), Adam Webster (knock)