Chelsea defeated Brighton 2-1 in their EPL clash

Wednesday night at the Amex, Chelsea defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 in the Premier League thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku

(Football news) Chelsea, who saw Reece James sent off in the closing moments of the game, has now won four straight league games during this fantastic run of play. The victory over Roberto De Zerbi’s team puts Chelsea on 60 points from their 37 games.

Brighton’s Danny Welbeck scored late in the game to potentially set up a thrilling conclusion, but the visitors prevailed to take a commanding three points.

With three points more than Newcastle United and only three points separating them from fifth-place Tottenham Hotspur, the Blues have surpassed the North London team to take sixth place in the standings. Mauricio Pochettino’s team still has a chance to finish ahead of the Magpies.

Chelsea have all but secured a top-seven finish due to their vastly superior goal difference over eighth-placed Manchester United, and the London club will be bidding to continue their excellent run of form and secure a European spot for next term when they host Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.

Brighton, meanwhile, will be bidding to bounce back when they welcome Man United to the Amex on the final matchday of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign.

Chelsea were bright early on, with Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen needing to be alert to keep out an effort from Noni Madueke, who had driven into the home side’s penalty box.

The hosts were also threatening, with Simon Adingra’s effort from a Tariq Lamptey cross leaving Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic rooted to the spot, but it just dropped wide of the post.

Verbruggen also denied Chelsea forward Palmer in the opening 15 minutes, with both sides having their moments at the Amex.

Chelsea were awarded a penalty in the 16th minute when Facundo Buonanotte challenged Marc Cucurella inside the penalty box, but referee Michael Salisbury changed his decision after checking the pitch-side monitor, with VAR preventing what would have been a controversial call.

Verbruggen did well to deny Malo Gusto in the period that followed, before Adingra just missed the target with a curler, and it was not a surprise that the opening goal came during a lively period of the contest.

Palmer made the breakthrough, with the Englishman registering his 22nd Premier League goal of the campaign in the 34th minute by brilliantly heading a Cucurella cross into the back of the net.

The 22-year-old is now on 25 goals in all competitions for Chelsea since his arrival from Manchester City, and he has to go down as one of the best signings of the season.

Chelsea had the ball in the back of the Brighton net for a second time in first-half stoppage time, but Nicolas Jackson’s header was ruled out for a foul on Lamptey, before the Blues forward volleyed wide of the post from close range in the final stages of the opening 45 minutes.

Petrovic also needed to tip a Joao Pedro header over the crossbar before the half-time whistle arrived.

Brighton should have levelled the scores early in the second half through Pascal Gross, but the midfielder somehow missed the target from close range.

Rather, Nkunku, who deftly converted a wonderful cross from Gusto, gave Chelsea a two goal advantage in the 64th minute, and Brighton was unable to respond.

Fans of the club have many reasons to be optimistic about the future as Pochettino’s team has come from nothing to take the lead in the race for a top-six spot.

Chelsea’s match ended on a bad note on Wednesday, as James was sent off for a straight red card for kicking Pedro. The referee was then sent to the monitor once more on the advice of VAR, and Welbeck scored a late consolation goal for the home team by tapping in a low Pedro cross from close range.

Also read: Manchester United defeat Newcastle United 3-2 at Old Trafford