Chelsea beat Brighton to continue winning run and boost European hopes
Chelsea's Cole Palmer (centre) celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game. Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire.
CHELSEA’S hopes of ending a difficult season by securing a return to European football were strengthened by a fourth successive league win. They were forced to hold on during a nervous ending to the game though when Danny Welbeck brought Brighton back into the game in added time after Reece James’ late red card.
Cole Palmer’s 22nd league goal of the season and a second half effort from Christopher Nkunku put Mauricio Pochettino’s side in control before James, making only his second substitute appearance since December, kicked out at Joao Pedro in the 88th minute. That triggered a late Brighton revival and Chesea were relieved to hear the final whistle shortly after Welbeck’s 97th minute reply.
After appearing to deliver mixed messages about his future last week, Pochettino was at pains to point out the progress his side had made, particularly over the second half of the season, ahead of this game.
It was an easy case for the manager to make with only Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool having collected more points since the turn of the year. Another measure was that after collecting just 22 points from the opening 18 league games, they came into this lash having gained 35 points in the subsequent 18 games.
While Pochettino suggested a place in the Europa League could not necessarily be seen as a successful season in the context of the London club’s record over the last 20 years, there is little doubt it would mark a significant achievement given how low the mood was at Stamford Bridge in Autumn.
Brighton’s hopes of securing European football for a second successive season effectively disappeared some time ago. The Europa League campaign took its toll and a mid-season dip in form, together with some ambiguous comments from Roberto De Zerbi, brought an uncharacteristic measure of instability to the Amex Stadium. There has been, however, less friction in recent weeks with De Zerbi now appearing more likely to stay and the prospect of a top ten finish offered a target for the Italian and his players.
The return of Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo, who both made big money moves to Chelsea, brought an extra edge to the game and both players received a hostile reception.
Cucurella provided the perfect response when he set up Palmer for the 34th minute opening goal, but Chelsea might have taken the lead after just three minutes when Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk was forced to clear up after keeper Brt Verbruggen had spilled Noni Madueke’s shot.
If Dunk was Brighton’s saviour on that occasion, the home side had VAR Peter Bankes to thank for intervening when Michael Salisbury pointed to the penalty spot after Cucurella went down under a challenge from Facundo Buonanotte in the 16th minute. Buonanotte was convinced he had touched the ball and the on-filed referee agreed after reviewing the incident.
Brighton winger Sion Adringa came close with a shot on the turn but it was Chelsea who continued to pose the greater threat. And they finally made the breakthrough after Cucurella delivered a cross from the left that Palmer met with a stooping, glancing header.
Nicolas Jackson would have put Chelsea in complete control had he not strayed offside when he headed home in first half added time. Brighton immediately responded with Joao Pedro heading against the bar.
That provided a reminder of Brighton’s threat and they should have levelled when the game opened up at the start of the second half. Tariq Lamptey’s low cross was met by Pascal Gross at the near post but the normally reliable German directed his close range effort wide.
Nkunku turned home Malo Gusto cross in the 64th minute but Chelsea’s grip on the game turned out to be less than secure.
Verbruggen 6; Lamptey 6 (Offiah 85, 6), Webster 6, Dunk 6 (Barco 46, 7) , Igor 6; Gross 5, Gilmour 6 (Baleba 69, 6); Buonanotte 6 (Welbeck 69, 6), Enciso 5 (Fati 85, 6), Adingra 7; Pedro 6.
Subs: Steele, Lallana, Moder, Atom.
Petrovic 6; Gusto 7 (James 69, 6), Chalobah 6, Badiashile 6, Cucurella 7; Caicedo 6, Gallagher 7 (Casadei 90 + 8, 6); Madueke 6 (Sterling 69, 6), Palmer 8 (Ugochukwu 90 + 8, 6), Mudryk 6 (Nkunku 42, 7); Jackson 6.
Subs not used: Bettinelli, Thiago Silva, Chilwell, Colwill
Michael Salisbury 6
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