Chelsea Boosts European Hopes With Win Against Brighton

Chelsea secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brighton in their final home match of the season at the Amex Stadium.

Chelsea, after a rocky start to the season, have been on an upward trajectory in recent months, losing just one of their previous 13 Premier League matches. The team’s improved form under Pochettino has put them in contention for Europa League qualification, marking significant progress for the club.

The game kicked off with Noni Madueke testing Brighton’s goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen early on, setting the tone for an action-packed first half. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Cole Palmer, the recently-crowned Chelsea Player of the Year, displayed his aerial abilities by nodding in a sublime header from a Marc Cucurella cutback.

Brighton responded with determination, enjoying spells of possession and creating chances of their own. However, Chelsea’s clinical finishing gave them the edge as Palmer’s goal put them in the driver’s seat.

Controversy struck later in the half when Tariq Lamptey’s challenge on Mykhaylo Mudryk raised eyebrows, but VAR opted not to intervene, allowing Lamptey to escape punishment. The first half concluded with João Pedro rattling the crossbar with a header, serving as a reminder of Brighton’s threat on the counter.

The second half saw Chelsea squander several golden opportunities to extend their lead, with Nicolas Jackson failing to provide the final ball on multiple occasions. Brighton, sensing an opportunity, pushed forward and almost leveled the score through Pascal Groß, who fired wide from close range.

However, it was Chelsea who found the crucial second goal, as Malo Gusto and Christopher Nkunku combined brilliantly to double their lead. Nkunku’s clinical finish into the bottom corner showed Chelsea’s efficiency in front of goal.

The match took a dramatic turn when Chelsea captain Reece James received a red card for a reckless challenge on João Pedro. Brighton capitalized on the numerical advantage, with Danny Welbeck tapping in from close range to set up a tense finale.

Despite Brighton’s late goal, Chelsea held on to secure all three points and climb to sixth in the Premier League table. The victory keeps their European qualification hopes alive, while Brighton’s top-half aspirations hang in the balance following a run of inconsistent results.