**Chelsea survived a dramatic Brighton fightback to win 4-3 at Stamford Bridge and make it two Premier League victories from two under Xabi Alonso.**
Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro fired Chelsea into a commanding first-half position before Malick Yalcouyé pulled one back for the visitors.
A Joao Pedro own goal then reduced the lead to 3-2 after the break, but Cole Palmer restored Chelsea’s two-goal cushion.
Brighton refused to disappear, with Pascal Groß heading home in the closing stages to set up a frantic finish before Chelsea finally secured all three points.
Chelsea started Alonso’s first Premier League home game with real intensity.
Lavia opened the scoring after only five minutes, reacting quickest inside the Brighton penalty area to put the Blues ahead.
Neto doubled the advantage nine minutes later.
Morgan Rogers drove down the left before picking out the Portugal international, who converted to make it 2-0.
Chelsea continued to punish Brighton and Joao Pedro made it three against his former club.
Jorrel Hato advanced down the left and found the Brazilian, who finished clinically as Alonso’s side threatened to run away with the contest.
It was another encouraging attacking display after Alonso had [demanded Chelsea deliver consistently before facing Brighton](https://readchelsea.com/2026/08/30/chelsea-fc-news-now-xabi-alonso-ultimatum/).
Brighton responded before half-time through Yalcouyé, whose volley reduced the deficit to 3-1 and ensured Chelsea could not relax.
The second half became significantly less comfortable.
Brighton increased the pressure and were rewarded when Joao Pedro inadvertently diverted the ball beyond Emiliano Martinez for an own goal.
The move came after Yalcouyé found Groß, with the resulting ball taking the decisive touch off the Chelsea striker.
Suddenly a 3-0 lead had become 3-2.
Brighton immediately threatened again, forcing Alonso into action.
Moises Caicedo and Reece James were introduced as Chelsea attempted to regain control after a difficult spell.
The match provided an immediate reminder that Chelsea’s defensive problems have not disappeared simply because Emi Martinez has arrived in a £7.5million deal.
Martinez went straight into Alonso’s starting XI on his first day as a Chelsea player, but his debut quickly became far more eventful than the Blues would have wanted.
Chelsea needed someone to settle the game.
Palmer provided the response.
The England international scored Chelsea’s fourth to restore a two-goal advantage and seemingly end Brighton’s hopes of completing the comeback.
It continued Palmer’s influential start under Alonso after he also scored and assisted in the opening Premier League victory at Fulham.
Chelsea appeared to have finally taken control.
Brighton had one last response.
Groß headed Brighton’s third in the closing stages to make it **4-3** and ensure an unexpectedly nervous finish at Stamford Bridge.
Having led 3-0, Chelsea were suddenly forced to protect a one-goal advantage in the final moments.
They held on.
The result gives Alonso maximum points from his opening two Premier League fixtures, following the 3-2 victory over Fulham.
But the scoreline also leaves a very obvious issue for the Chelsea head coach to address.
His side have scored **seven goals across their first two league matches**, but they have also conceded **five**.
There is considerable attacking quality in Alonso’s team.
Rogers, Palmer, Neto and Joao Pedro all caused Brighton problems, while Lavia marked his return to the side with an important goal.
Yet Chelsea allowed a comfortable three-goal advantage to become a genuine fight for survival.
Three points are what matter most.
But after another seven-goal Premier League thriller, Alonso will know Chelsea must find greater defensive control if their promising start is to develop into something more significant.
**Chelsea:** Lavia 5′, Neto 14′, Joao Pedro 34′, Palmer
**Brighton:** Yalcouyé 39′, Joao Pedro OG 62′, Groß late