Chelsea vs Brighton LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Blues hold on after Conor Gallagher red
Chelsea 3-2 Brighton: Enzo Fernandez scored twice as the 10-man hosts survived late pressure to claim three points
Chelsea played the entirety of the second half with 10 men as they clung on to defeat Brighton 3-2 after a tense finale at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side were already two up thanks to headers from Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill when Conor Gallagher was shown a second yellow card for fouling Billy Gilmour in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
Moments before Gallagher’s dismissal, Facundo Buonanotte had pulled Brighton back into it at 2-1 with swinging strike inside the post, and the stage looked set for a fightback by the visitors.
Instead, it was Chelsea that reasserted their charge, Fernandez converting from the spot midway through the second half after the excellent Mykhailo Mudryk had been fouled.
Joao Pedro came off the bench to head a goal back at the start of a lengthy period of added time, before Chelsea survived a penalty scare for a possible handball against Colwill with virtually the game’s final action.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
WIDE! Into the first of 10 added minutes here and the corner is whipped into the box. Chelsea have practically everyone back in their box, and Silva just manages to get in the way of Pedro's header to give away another corner.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
GREAT SAVE! Brighton are flooding forward into Chelsea's box, but Gross decides to have another go from range. He curls his shot through the crowd and it's sneaking into the far post until Sanchez tips it wide.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Sanchez is starting to dawdle on the ball, and the referee has had enough as he books him for time-wasting.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Ferguson gets the ball caught under his feet, but Silva can't get enough on his clearance. It bobbles out to Gross on the edge of the box, but his low shot is held by Sanchez again.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
SAVE! Fernandez just steps on Pedro's foot, and even though it's soft, Brighton have a free-kick in a good position. Gross curls his shot over the wall, but Sanchez has it covered as he holds onto it.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton's final roll of the dice sees 19-year-old Baker-Boaitey come on in place of Julio.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Mitoma is starting to impose himself down the left a little more now, and he holds off Disasi as he makes another bursting run down the left. He picks out Pedro at the far post, but his thumping header is straight at Sanchez.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Mudryk went down, and after a quick bit of treatment, Pochettino decides not to take a risk. He's taken off, with Broja on in his place.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
CHANCE! It looks like the chance is gone for Brighton when Gross lets it run, but Pedro just about manages to keep it alive. He spreads it out to Milner on the left, who picks out Adingra at the far post, but his header is so poor, he picks out the substitute once more.
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