CHELSEA'S MASTERY UNVEILED: PALMER AND NKUNKU STEER 2-1 TRIUMPH OVER BRIGHTON

In a thrilling encounter at the Amex Stadium, Chelsea emerged victorious against Brighton& Hove Albion securing their fourth consecutive win in the Premier League. The match was packed with action, featuring standout performances, controversial moments, and late drama. The Blues took the lead in the 34th minute courtesy of 'Cold' Palmer's clinical finish, marking his 22nd goal in the Premier League campaign this season and his 27th across all competitions. The goal was beautifully set up by a precise assist from Marc Cucurella, showcasing Chelsea's attacking prowess from the left side.

However, Chelsea's joy was short-lived as Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson found the back of the net in added time of the first half, only for the goal to be ruled out due to offside. Despite this setback, Chelsea continued to push forward with determination, displaying relentless attacking intent. Malo Gusto, a standout performer for Chelsea in recent months who's been filling in for Reece James, demonstrated his skill with exceptional wing play, creating opportunities for his teammates. It was Nkunku who capitalized on Gusto's brilliance, firing a precise shot past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to extend Chelsea's lead to two goals.

Nkunku's celebration added an element of flair to the match, as he inflated a blue balloon retrieved from his sock, symbolizing Chelsea's dominance on the field. However, Chelsea's task became more challenging when they were reduced to 10 men in the 88th minute, as Reece James received a red card for a reckless challenge on Pedro, following a VAR review. Despite being a man down, Chelsea maintained their composure and defensive solidity, but Brighton managed to pull one back in the dying moments of the game. Pedro capitalized on space on the left flank, delivering a precise cross to the near post, where Danny Welbeck arrived to steer the ball to the back of the net, igniting hope for Brighton.

As the final whistle blew at the Amex Stadium, Chelsea emerged victorious with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brighton. The victory not only extended Chelsea's winning streak but also showcased their resilience in the face of adversity. Looking ahead, Chelsea will be without Reece James for their upcoming fixtures, as he is set to miss the first three games of the 2024/25 Premier League season, along with the match against AFC Bournemouth. Despite this setback, Chelsea's performance against Brighton exemplified their determination and ability to overcome challenges on their path to success.

Cole Palmer celebrates his goal against Brighton

"For me, it is not important about what I have to say. If you are happy and people are happy about the style we are playing. After it is to adapt to the circumstances of the squad. For sure, with time, if you ask another coach and have the possibility of 10 years or 25 years, or 22 like Arsene Wenger, or Sir Alex Ferguson, then of course it is your team. In that case, we can say Pep Guardiola because every six months you have the power to invest or not to invest and bring players you want in. In one season, with all the circumstances, I am so proud of the squad," said Mauricio Pochettino at full-time.