Enzo Fernandez delivered a standout performance, netting twice as 10-man Chelsea resiliently secured a thrilling victory against Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
The Argentine midfielder initially headed the Blues in front after 17 minutes, and former Brighton loanee Levi Colwill doubled the lead just four minutes later with his maiden Chelsea goal. Despite Facundo Buonanotte’s superb curling effort pulling one back for the visitors, Chelsea maintained control until skipper Conor Gallagher received a second yellow card and was sent off on the stroke of halftime.
Nevertheless, Fernandez extended Chelsea’s lead with a penalty midway through the second half. Referee Craig Pawson initially played on when James Milner challenged Mykhailo Mudryk in the box but awarded the penalty after VAR intervention.
Brighton, despite dominating possession, struggled to create clear chances until Joao Pedro’s late flicked header. In the 10th additional minute, they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Colwill, but VAR overturned the decision as replays showed the ball hit the defender’s head rather than his outstretched arm.
This victory marks only Chelsea’s second home win in the Premier League this season, while Brighton has now won just one of their last eight league games.
Chelsea displayed resilience for an essential win, paying tribute to former England manager Terry Venables with a minute’s applause before kick-off. While Venables’ teams were known for attacking flair, Mauricio Pochettino’s side showcased defensive strength, securing the lead with Fernandez’s close-range header and Colwill’s quickfire goal. Despite a brief setback with Gallagher’s red card, Chelsea stood firm with organized defense and demonstrated the grit necessary for future challenges.
