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
Sterling makes another surging run down the right, and he has the beating of Hinshelwood once more. He loops a cross into the far post, but it's just behind Mudryk.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton are struggling to keep hold of the ball in the final third, with their attacks fizzling out and turning into Chelsea breaks. Sterling leads the latest charge and has options ahead of him, but can't pick any of them out.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea do well to pass it out from the back around Brighton's high press, but Sterling is tripped by Hinshelwood to win a free-kick. The Blues take it short, but it comes to nothing as Mudryk loses the ball when it gets to him.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton have failed to score in eight of their 10 away games against Chelsea in all competitions, including a 1-0 defeat already this season in the EFL Cup.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Gallagher sweeps it out to Sterling, who plays a one-two with Jackson to lose his marker so he can square a low cross into the box. He's looking for Mudryk at the far post, but doesn't get enough on it, and Baleba intercepts.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
It's better from Chelsea here as Sterling holds off Hinshelwood long enough to play a reverse pass down the left for Jackson. He isn't strong enough though, and Julio is able to clear the danger for Brighton.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton have made a bright start to this game and they're putting Chelsea under some early pressure. Veltman links up well with Buonanotte down the right, but Silva reacts quickly to stop him from cutting inside.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton do well to win it back in midfield and quickly counter, though Adingra can't get into the box. Ferguson is nudged off the ball by Badiashile, but it rolls towards Adingra again, who is wiped out by Sanchez. After a quick VAR check, there's no penalty.
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