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
After soaking up Brighton's pressure, Chelsea move it upfield quickly, with Palmer picking out Caicedo in space just outside the D. He takes aim from distance, but doesn't trouble Steele as he fires it over.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Again, Brighton have numbers in the box, but they can't make them count. Adingra chooses to go short instead of curling a cross into the crowd, and his pull back to Gilmour is cleared by Fernandez.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton are dominating possession at the moment, but they're still struggling to get in behind Chelsea. The Seagulls are trying to use their wide players, with Gross threading it forward for Pedro, but he's caught on his heels.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Substitution Nicolas Jackson Ian Ethan Maatsen
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Adingra's latest cross is blocked by Badiashile, and Pedro keeps it alive, though fouls Fernandez in the process. The referee doesn't immediately award the foul, so Gilmour takes aim from range, but it's blocked by Silva.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton are still throwing bodies forward in an attempt to cut the scoreline down once more. Adingra is afforded so much space down the right, and sees Mitoma in a similar position on the left, but he overhits the cross.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Substitution Raheem Shaquille Sterling Cole Jermaine Palmer
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
PENALTY TO CHELSEA! After having another look at the incident, referee Craig Pawson comes back onto the pitch, and much to Chelsea's delight, points to the spot!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
After a long look at all of the angles, the referee is asked to go over to the monitor to have another look at the incident. At first, it looked like Milner just nudged Mudryk off the ball, but he was clumsy, clipping the Ukrainian's heels, and he could be in trouble.
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