**Chelsea** fans had their hearts in their mouths as they watched their team come away with yet another narrow win.
**Xabi Alonso**'s men snatched another early lead with **Romeo Lavia** latching on to a loose ball after **Bart Verbruggen**'s failed grab in the fourth minute of the game.
**Brighton**'s hope sank further after **Pedro Neto** latched on to a cut-back from Chelsea's record signing, **Morgan Rogers**.
_The Seagulls_ were hit with a third goal after an outstanding run on the flank by **Jorrel Hato**, followed by a clean strike from Joao Pedro.
_The Blues_' marquee signing between the posts, **Emiliano Martinez**, parried a shot into the welcoming legs of Brighton's debutant, **Malick Junior Yalcouye**, who smashed it home from close range in the **35th minute**.
_The Seagulls_' utter domination in the second half paid off after **Pascal Gross**' cross attempt deflected in off Chelsea's number nine.
_The Blues_ heaved a sigh of relief, thanks to [Cole Palmer's long-range strike](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2026/08/30/premier-league/1269628-palmer-scores-as-chelsea-win-again.html) against the run of play.
Chelsea, in the dying minutes, suffered a late goal from Gross, who sent the ball flying past Martinez with a bullet header.
In the end, _the Seagulls_ fell to a crushing defeat despite dominating _the Blues_ for the majority of the game.
Brighton's three-game winning streak against Chelsea has now ended in the [**English Premier League**](https://www.vavel.com/en/data/premier-league/).
Chelsea Player Ratings
----------------------
**Emiliano Martinez - 8**
The Argentine goalkeeper completed his first 90 minutes in a blue shirt, making **four crucial saves**, completing 14 long balls, and notably creating two chances.
Martinez was let down by the lack of concentration and mistakes of his team members.
**Maxence Lacroix - 6.5**
He started well, making crucial tackles and winning his duels.
He was in the middle of the chaos leading up to Brighton's first goal, having failed to properly defend a through-pass to **Charalampos Kostoulas** in the build-up.
**Wesley Fofana - 6**
The Frenchman made a few crucial tackles and dangerous runs in the first 30 minutes. He came off in the 68th minute after a lazy challenge on **Maxim De Cuyper**.
Fofana could no longer handle _the Seagulls_' mounting pressure, and was one mistake from being booted off.
**Levi Colwill - 6.5**
Unlike his usual self, Colwill failed woefully in the passing department and was sometimes sluggish in his actions.
However, he competed and won the majority of his duels brilliantly. The Englishman recorded the joint-most defensive contributions, nine, in the game.
**Pedro Neto - 8**
Playing at wingback, he competed very well defensively and attacking-wise.
Neto did well to latch on to Rogers' cutback, scoring _the Blues_' second goal, after a daring run into the box. He also created the sitter missed by Chelsea's number nine.
It was his best game in a Chelsea shirt in a while with news arising that he may be on the verge of leaving the club.
Midfield and Defence
--------------------
**Malo Gusto - 6.5**
The Frenchman, to the surprise of everyone, started in the midfield alongside the Belgian, Lavia. Gusto put in an amazing defensive shift.
However, he was lackadaisical attacking-wise, fluffing crucial final passes and not completing any of his crosses or long balls.
**Romeo Lavia - 7.5**
In only his **17th league start in four years** for _the Blues_, Lavia found himself in a good spot to capitalise on the lack of communication in Brighton's defence, scoring his first ever league goal for his club.
Unable to handle any more pressure from the visitors, he was replaced in the 68th minute by **Reece James**.
**Jorrel Hato - 7.5**
The highlight of his game was his amazing run on the flanks in the 32nd minute to set up Pedro for Chelsea's third goal.
He was somewhat invincible after moving into the back three following Colwill's departure.
**Cole Palmer - 8**
Despite a dominating display last week, the Chelsea star had a rather quiet game today.
However, like many great players, he showed up when his team needed him the most, netting a **long-range belter** to put Chelsea two goals up at the time.
**Morgan Rogers - 8**
_The Blues_' record signing pulled his weight again, dropping another crucial assist. He went on to create **four chances**, which was the most for any player on the pitch.
**Joao Pedro - 8**
Besides meeting an absolute sitter and scoring an unavoidable own goal, Pedro had a flawless performance.
He scored a beauty, had an assist, and completed four dribbles, the most of any Chelsea player.
Substitutes
-----------
**Josh Acheampong - 6.5**
Alonso brought him on to ease the pressure at the back. Acheampong provided the much-needed energy at the time and held his own till the end.
**Reece James - 6**
James coming on had no useful effect on the game especially because _the Seagulls_ had the majority of the possession till the very end.
**Moises Caicedo - 6**
The Ecuadorian was only on the pitch for 14 minutes before needing to be subbed off, having felt something in his legs.
He is on course to miss the trip to the **Emirates Stadium** on Sunday.
**Pep Chavarria - 6.5**
His blazing speed was on show for all to see. He defended well for the brief period he was on.
**Valentin Barco - N/A**