Chelsea secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge, though the manner of the win raised fresh questions about the defensive stability of Xabi Alonso's reshaped side. Despite racing into a commanding lead, the hosts were made to sweat before holding on for their second league win under the new manager.
Chelsea burst out of the blocks and were ahead inside four minutes. João Pedro's flick from a corner was initially blocked on the line by Mats Wieffer, but goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen inadvertently scooped the ball into the path of Roméo Lavia, who tucked it home. The goal carried extra significance for the Belgian midfielder, coming exactly four years to the day since his previous goal - also against Chelsea.
The visitors, already stretched by a lengthy injury list that ruled out Jack Hinshelwood, Yasin Ayari, Georginio Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh, looked shaky and were punished again in the 13th minute. Morgan Rogers, continuing his strong start since arriving from Aston Villa, drove forward and set up Pedro Neto - now operating as a wing-back under Alonso - to finish confidently.
João Pedro, returning to face his former club amid jeers from the away supporters, added a third shortly after. Rogers again supplied the assist, flicking the ball into space for Jorrel Hato to surge down the left before squaring for the Brazilian to finish clinically.
Brighton pulled one back before the interval through debutant Malick Yalcouyé, who volleyed home after Emiliano Martínez had produced a brave save to deny Charalampos Kostoulas. It was a rare bright moment for a Brighton side otherwise overwhelmed in the opening 45 minutes.
The second half told a different story. Chelsea's control evaporated and Brighton grew increasingly confident. Diego Gómez went close with a header and later forced a save from Martínez, before the visitors pulled level in circumstances at 3-2 when Yalcouyé released Pascal Gross, whose cross deflected in off João Pedro for an unfortunate own goal.
With Stamford Bridge growing anxious, Alonso turned to his bench, introducing Moisés Caicedo, Reece James and Josh Acheampong in search of composure. Martínez continued to impress on his debut, denying Olivier Boscagli with another important stop as Chelsea searched for a response.
That response arrived through Cole Palmer, who combined with João Pedro before cutting inside to curl a superb strike past Verbruggen from 20 yards, restoring a two-goal cushion at 4-2. It was a moment of quality that underlined the attacking talent within Alonso's squad, with Palmer, Rogers and João Pedro combining effectively throughout.
The drama was not finished, however. Caicedo was forced off with an injury shortly after coming on, and deep into stoppage time Gross netted again for Brighton, making it 4-3 with barely enough time left for Chelsea to restart the match before the final whistle.
Martínez, signed from Aston Villa for £7.5m, was unable to keep a clean sheet on his debut but impressed with his shot-stopping and commanding presence, receiving a warm ovation from the home crowd before kick-off given his history with Brighton. His arrival has come at the expense of Robert Sánchez, who was left out of the squad entirely following a shaky display against Fulham.
While Chelsea have now won their opening two league matches under Alonso, the Spaniard will be concerned by defensive frailties that have seen his side concede five goals in as many games. The attacking football on show has been eye-catching, but greater control will be required if Chelsea are to sustain a genuine title challenge this season.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.