Albion grab their second goal at Stamford Bridge (Image: Simon Dack)
Albion grab their second goal at Stamford Bridge (Image: Simon Dack)
Albion suffered a first defeat of the season.
But their fans applauded their efforts at the end of a pulsating 4-3 reverse at Chelsea, in which the hosts had led 3-0.
Romeo Lavia and Pedro Neto scored inside the first 20 minutes and Joao Pedro added a third.
But Malick Yalcouye, a surprise starter and playing well forward, responded before the break with a fierce finish past debut-making Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who had signed from Aston Villa in time to replace Robert Sanchez in goal.
A Joao Pedro own goal after the break meant the hosts were hanging on until a bit of magic from Cole Palmer put them 4-2 up.
Costinha scored with a very late header for the Seagulls.
Joao Pedro of Chelsea scores their third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge . London , UK - 30th August 2026 Photo Simon Dack Editorial use only. No merchandising. For Football images FA and Premier League restrictions apply inc. no internet/mobile usage without FAPL license - for details contact Football Dataco
Bart Verbruggen sows his frustration as Joao Pedro celebrates his goal (Image: Simon Dack)
In the end, Fabian Hurzeler’s side gave themselves too much of a mountain to climb.
The first goal on four minutes was an absolute gift as Bart Verbruggen and Mats Wieffer got in a mix-up after a corner.
Wieffer initially blocked the ball and it seemed Verbruggen would grab it safely but instead the pair left it and Lavia finished.
Albion played some decent stuff after that but were picked apart again on 14 minutes and it was too easy.
Morgan Rogers got down the outside of Luka Vuskovic, crossed low and Neto finished as Albion were too slow to react in the middle.
The third was a counter raid following some attractive football by Albion which broke down on the edge of the box.
This time Jorrel Hato was played in behind Wieffer, whose cross had been blocked.
Hato made ground and set up Joao Pedro, who took great delight in finishing – having missed a sitter a few moments earlier – and celebrating in front of the away section.
That goal on 31 minutes looked to be the killer blow and home fans rejoiced in the identity of the scorer.
But suddenly, four minutes later, the Seagulls were thrown a lifeline in spectacular style.
Yalcouye volleyed home a ferocious finish off the far post, just as Chelsea fans were cheering a block by Martinez at the feet of Kostoulas.
It was a rapid attack by Albion sparked by Wieffer's quickly taken throw.
A second goal by the interval would have been very handy but a Gomez header and Vuskovic long-ranger both flew too high.
They should have eaten further into the areas early in the second half when the well-placed Diego Gomez powered a free-header inches wide at a free-kick.
But a brilliantly worked corner routine allowed Yalcouye to send Gross in the right of goal.
And, when Gross’s cross deflected off Joao Pedro and past Martinez, Albion were right back in it.
Gomez crashed a half-volley into the side-netting.
Martinez got down to his left to keep out a well-struck drive from Olivier Boscagli, who was getting on the ball in his deep-lying midfield role.
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But, soon after Chelsea had made four changes, Palmer ran at the Albion defence and fired home left-footed on 74 minutes to change the mood again.
Still Albion never stopped pushing, never stopped playing their football.
Their fans never stopped encouraging them.
Promise David was a decent target as he was sent on for the final stages.
But, when Costinha buried a header deep in added time, it was just too late to cause more Chelsea nerves.
Albion: Verbruggen; Wieffer (Costinha 80), Vuskovic, Dunk, Kadioglu; Boscagli, Gross, Yalcouye (Osman 73); Gomez, De Cuyper, Kostoulas (David 80). Unused subs: Steele, Struijk, Cozier-Duberry, O’Riley, Hadjam.