Chelsea produced their most emphatic attacking display of the young Premier League season with a 4-2 victory over Brighton at Stamford Bridge, while Brentford continued their impressive early form with a 1-0 win at Leeds. Elsewhere, Sunderland and Fulham could not find a breakthrough in a goalless stalemate at the Stadium of Light.
Xabi Alonso's first home match in charge of Chelsea began in ideal fashion when Romeo Lavia turned home a close-range effort in the fifth minute after a scramble in the Brighton box. Pedro Neto doubled the advantage in the 14th minute, finishing off a move started by Morgan Rogers down the left flank. Joao Pedro, continuing his fine form against his former club, made it three shortly before the half-hour mark, latching onto a pass from Estevao Willian's teammate Hato after a surging run down the left.
Brighton, missing several first-team regulars, hit back through a stunning strike from debutant Malick Yalcouye, who volleyed home superbly in the 39th minute to end Emiliano Martinez's run of 18 matches without conceding. But Chelsea restored their three-goal cushion before the interval through Joao Pedro's second, and the home side looked in complete control at the break leading 3-1.
The second half brought further drama when Brighton pulled another goal back, this time via an unfortunate own goal from Joao Pedro, who inadvertently diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper following a Yalcouye pass to Pascal Gross. Chelsea responded by bringing on Moises Caicedo and Reece James as they sought to see out the contest, ultimately closing out a 4-2 win that underlined the attacking talent at Alonso's disposal, even if defensive frailties remain a work in progress for the new manager.
At Elland Road, Brentford maintained their outstanding start to the campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Leeds United. The breakthrough came just before half-time when Kevin Schade produced a moment of brilliance, meeting Keane Lewis-Potter's cross with an exquisite finish using the outside of his boot. Leeds, managed by Daniel Farke, struggled to create clear openings despite bringing on Harry Wilson and Ao Tanaka at the interval in search of greater attacking threat. Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was called upon late on to deny a Leeds fightback, but the visitors held firm to claim another significant three points following their win over Tottenham the previous week.
In the day's other early kick-off, Sunderland and Fulham played out a cagey goalless draw at the Stadium of Light. Granit Xhaka, who opted to remain on Wearside rather than move to Chelsea, was influential in midfield for the hosts, while Sunderland dominated large spells of possession without truly testing Fulham's defence. Alvaro Arbeloa's Fulham side, playing a more expansive style than under previous management, had their moments on the counter but similarly failed to make the breakthrough. Both sides made changes as the match wore on, with Sunderland introducing Ilan Isidor and Djibril Diarra, but neither could find a winner in a largely even contest.
Elsewhere in the division, new Brighton signing Fabian Hurzeler addressed the club's injury situation, telling reporters he views setbacks as opportunities for other players to step up, following knocks to Jack Hinshelwood and Georginio Rutter. Newly arrived Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, meanwhile, spoke of his excitement at joining the club, describing the move as an easy decision for him and his family and stating his ambition to win trophies at Stamford Bridge.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football and Standard Sport.