Chelsea survived a frantic second-half fightback from Brighton & Hove Albion to claim a thrilling 4-3 victory in one of the standout fixtures of the second round of the Premier League.

The Blues appeared to be cruising after a dominant opening 30 minutes at Stamford Bridge, racing into a three-goal lead. Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro all found the net as Chelsea took complete control of the contest. Yankuba Minteh pulled one back for the visitors before the break, keeping Brighton's hopes alive.

The drama intensified in the 63rd minute when Joao Pedro struck again — only this time into his own net. The Brighton forward was given the chance to make amends just 10 minutes later, setting up Cole Palmer for what proved to be the decisive goal of the match.

Brighton refused to go quietly. Pascal Gross scored deep into six minutes of stoppage time to make it 4-3, setting up a nervy finish at Stamford Bridge. But Chelsea held their nerve to secure all three points in a remarkable seven-goal thriller.

2026-27, England - Premier League

Chelsea - Brighton 4:3 (3:1)
Goals: Lavia, 4 (1:0); Pedro Neto, 14 (2:0); João Pedro, 32 (3:0); Yalcouyé, 35 (3:1); João Pedro, 63 (own goal) (3:2); Palmer Co., 74 (4:2); Groß, 90 (4:3)

Chelsea: Martinez E.; Fofana W. (Acheampong J. K., 68); Lacroix M.; Colwill (Chavarría, 72); Hato; Gusto; Lavia (James R., 68); Palmer Co.; Rogers M.; Pedro Neto (Caicedo M., 68; Barco, 82); João Pedro
Substitution: James R. (from 68); Acheampong J. K. (from 68); Caicedo M. (from 68 till 82); Chavarría (from 72); Barco (from 82)
Bench: Penders; Bynoe-Gittens; Estêvão; Welbeck
Yellow Cards: Fofana W. 55

Brighton: Verbruggen; Dunk; Boscagli; De Cuyper; Vuskovic L.; Groß; Gomez D.; Wieffer (Costinha J.P., 80); Yalcouyé (Osman I., 74); Kadioglu; Kostoulas (David, 80)
Substitution: Osman I. (from 74); Costinha J.P. (from 80); David (from 80)
Bench: Steele; Struijk; Hadjam; O`Riley; Cozier-Duberry; Oriola
Yellow Cards: Dunk 70; Boscagli 89; Costinha J.P. 90