Chelsea topples Brighton in 7-goal thriller

The match between Chelsea and Brighton in the second week of the English Premier League was a thrilling encounter. Chelsea defeated their visitors Brighton 4-3, starting the season with two victories.

Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, whose transfer was announced earlier in the day, started in the London side's starting 11 against Brighton. Enzo Fernandez, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City, was not in the squad for this match following Thursday's League Cup game. For Brighton, national player Ferdi Kadıoğlu, whose name has been linked with Manchester United and Manchester City, started the match.

GOALS CAME ONE AFTER ANOTHER

Chelsea started the match quickly. In the 4th minute, following a corner kick from the right wing, Romeo Lavia found the ball in a scramble inside the penalty area and put his team 1-0 ahead. The hosts doubled the lead in the 13th minute; Pedro Neto sent the ball into the net with a low shot after Morgan Rogers crossed it into the penalty area from the left.

Despite having less possession in the first half hour, Chelsea remained effective with quick attacks and found the third goal in the 32nd minute. Joao Pedro capitalized on a ball carried by Jorrel Hato from his own half into the penalty area to make the score 3-0.

Brighton got back into the game shortly after that goal. In the 35th minute, Charalampos Kostoulas' shot from an attack initiated by Malick Yalcouye was saved by goalkeeper Martinez. Following up on the play, Yalcouye sent the ball into the net to reduce the deficit to two.

The tempo did not drop in the second half. While Chelsea failed to capitalize on clear opportunities with Joao Pedro and Palmer, Brighton also came close to scoring with Diego Gomez. The visitors made it 3-2 in the 63rd minute when Pascal Gross' shot deflected off Joao Pedro and into the net.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso brought on Reece James, Joshua Acheampong, and the returning Moises Caicedo in the 68th minute. The hosts found relief again in the 74th minute with a powerful low shot from Palmer from the edge of the penalty arc, bringing the score to 4-2.

Brighton found another goal in stoppage time. In the 90+5th minute, Pascal Gross headed the ball into the net after it bounced in the penalty area following a long throw-in from the left. However, with no further goals scored in the remaining time, Chelsea left the pitch with a 4-3 victory.

With this result, Chelsea has won 2 out of 2 in the league ahead of next week's Arsenal derby. Brighton, who defeated Aston Villa 4-0 in the first week, suffered their first defeat of the season.

Among those watching the match from the stands were England national team manager Thomas Tuchel and Brazil national team manager Carlo Ancelotti. Both managers had previously worked at Chelsea.