Chelsea vs Brighton was a thrilling Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge, with Xabi Alonso’s side surviving a dramatic Brighton & Hove Albion comeback attempt to secure a second consecutive victory of the campaign. Chelsea appeared to have the contest under control after racing into a 3-0 lead, but Brighton’s persistence turned the match into a tense seven-goal affair before Cole Palmer finally restored the hosts’ two-goal advantage. Grob scored in the last minute to make it Chelsea 4-3 Brighton.

The victory means Alonso has begun his Premier League reign with maximum points from his opening two matches, following last weekend’s victory over Fulham. However, the Chelsea manager will know there is plenty to address defensively after Brighton exposed weaknesses that could have proved costly against a more clinical opponent.

Chelsea made another blistering start, taking only four minutes to open the scoring. Their first set-piece of the afternoon caused confusion inside the Brighton penalty area, with Joao Pedro getting a touch on Pedro Neto’s corner before Mats Wieffer appeared to clear the ball off the line.

However, Wieffer and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen then got in each other’s way, allowing Romeo Lavia to react quickest and tap the loose ball into an unguarded net.

Romeo Lavia first goal sets Chelsea on their way

Romeo Lavia first goal in the Premier League for Chelsea was an important moment for the midfielder, who has had to be patient for opportunities to make a decisive impact since moving to Stamford Bridge.

His goal gave Chelsea the perfect platform, and they quickly doubled their advantage.

Morgan Rogers was at the heart of the move, driving powerfully into the Brighton penalty area before delivering a dangerous low cross from the left. Neto anticipated the delivery brilliantly, getting ahead of Ferdi Kadioglu before producing a clever finish with the outside of his right foot.

Brighton were suddenly under enormous pressure, but Chelsea’s dominance could have been even greater.

Joao Pedro missed a golden opportunity to make it 3-0 when he rolled his effort wide after being beautifully played through by Neto. The former Brighton forward would not have to wait long to make amends, however.

In the 32nd minute, Jorrel Hato’s adventurous movement and pass created the opening, allowing Joao Pedro to finish and give Chelsea what appeared to be an almost unassailable advantage.

Brighton, however, had other ideas.

Malick Yalcouye gave the visitors a lifeline before half-time after Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez had made an important intervention to deny Charalampos Kostoulas.

The loose ball fell kindly for Yalcouye, who struck it into the post and beyond Martinez to register his first Premier League goal.

The goal changed the mood around Stamford Bridge and gave Brighton the belief that an unlikely comeback remained possible.

Emiliano Martinez Chelsea debut provides mixed first impression

Emiliano Martinez Chelsea debut was one of the afternoon’s notable storylines following his move from Aston Villa.

Martinez showed his experience with a smart intervention to deny Kostoulas, but he ultimately conceded three goals as Brighton repeatedly found ways to threaten Chelsea’s defence.

The Argentine could not be blamed for every goal, particularly the unfortunate own goal that later brought Brighton within one, but Alonso will want greater defensive protection around his new goalkeeper.

Chelsea also wasted opportunities to put the game beyond doubt. Diego Gomez headed wide shortly after the restart, while Palmer somehow flicked an effort over an open goal when he should have extended Chelsea’s lead.

That miss suddenly looked extremely significant.

Brighton pulled another goal back when Pascal Gross’ cross deflected off Joao Pedro and into the Chelsea net. What had looked like a routine victory was suddenly becoming a serious test of Alonso’s team’s character.

Palmer responded exactly as Chelsea needed.

The midfielder collected Joao Pedro’s knockdown before carrying the ball towards the edge of the penalty area. He then produced one of his trademark finishes, sweeping the ball into the bottom-left corner to restore Chelsea’s two-goal advantage.

Brighton refused to give up, and Gross delivered another reminder of their threat by finding the top corner with a superb header six minutes into stoppage time.

This time, however, there would be no further twist.

Chelsea held on for the three points, while Brighton were left to reflect on a courageous performance that ultimately fell short.

Chelsea 4-3 Brighton: Alonso’s Chelsea still have work to do

The result represents another positive step for Alonso, but the scoreline also exposed some of the problems that remain within his team.

Chelsea’s attacking quality was impressive, with Lavia, Neto, Joao Pedro and Palmer all contributing to a memorable afternoon. Rogers was also influential, particularly in the build-up to Neto’s goal, while Hato showed attacking ambition from defence.

Yet conceding three goals after leading 3-0 will concern Alonso. Chelsea allowed Brighton back into the contest when they should have been managing the game more effectively, and their defensive lapses could become even more expensive against stronger opposition.

For now, though, the Premier League table tells the story Alonso will care about most. Chelsea have six points from six available, while Brighton sit eighth after their second match.

The Blues now turn their attention to a much bigger test against Arsenal next weekend. After two wins from two, Alonso could hardly have asked for a better start, but this dramatic victory has also provided a clear warning: Chelsea’s attacking brilliance cannot always be expected to rescue defensive uncertainty.