By Martin Graham | twenty ninth Sep 2024
Chelsea secured a dominant victory over Brighton, climbing to fourth within the Premier League desk as Cole Palmer delivered a standout efficiency, netting 4 targets within the first half. The Blues’ fast assault thrived in opposition to Brighton’s excessive defensive position, resulting in an exhilarating, action-packed recreation at Stamford Bridge.
Early drama and Palmer’s magic
The match received off to an electrical begin, with Brighton’s insistence on urgent excessive leaving area for Chelsea’s forwards to take advantage of. Regardless of the guests’ early lead, due to a Georginio Rutter header, it was Palmer who stole the highlight. The 22-year-old almost opened the scoring earlier, hitting the submit and having a purpose dominated out for offside inside a matter of minutes.
Palmer lastly broke by way of when he transformed from Nicolas Jackson’s move, marking the start of a outstanding particular person show. His second got here quickly after, calmly dispatching his tenth consecutive penalty for the Blues following a foul on Jadon Sancho. Palmer’s hat-trick was sealed in spectacular trend with a elegant 25-yard free-kick, leaving the house crowd in awe.
Brighton’s transient hope reduce quick
Whereas Palmer was unstoppable, Brighton managed to supply a glimmer of hope halfway by way of the primary half. Carlos Baleba capitalized on a poor clearance from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, pulling one again for the Seagulls. Nonetheless, Brighton’s transient resurgence was swiftly extinguished when Palmer scored his fourth, slotting residence from a exact Sancho move.
Regardless of Brighton’s persistence, their refusal to regulate their techniques left them weak. Supervisor Fabian Hurzeler’s facet, identified for his or her courageous enjoying type, was in the end punished for sticking to a excessive line, permitting Chelsea to carve open their protection repeatedly.
A Calmer second half
After a frenzied first half, the second interval was comparatively quiet. Chelsea, in full management of the match, targeted extra on sustaining their lead. Palmer had a possibility so as to add a fifth purpose to his tally however fired vast, sparing Brighton additional embarrassment.
Whereas Chelsea’s attacking prowess was on full show, Brighton will probably remorse their defensive strategy, which proved expensive. The victory marks one more vital step for Chelsea as they proceed their rise below new administration, whereas Brighton’s younger coach Hurzeler confronted his first style of defeat.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports activities author
