Chelsea 3-2 Brighton: Player ratings as 10-man Blues cling on for precious win

FROM STAMFORD BRIDGE — Chelsea managed to withstand a late onslaught and secure a 3-2 victory at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

The Blues were in cruise control after going two goals up before the Seagulls pulled one back and the hosts had a man sent off.

Chelsea went 3-1 up in the second half but were given another scare in added time when Brighton scored once more and then had a penalty struck off by VAR.

With the first half-chance of the game midway through the first half, Chelsea took the lead. A deep corner from Conor Gallagher was recycled by Benoit Badiashile, who did well to hook the ball back into the six-yard box and tee up Enzo Fernandez, and he headed home from point-blank range.

Moments later, Fernandez nearly had a brace. Nicolas Jackson did well to carry the ball to the byline and bring a sprawling save out of Jason Steele, and Fernandez's header on the rebound was blocked behind.

From the resulting corner, Chelsea doubled their advantage. A similar routine saw Jackson nod Gallagher's delivery back across for Levi Colwill to head across the line.

Mykhailo Mudryk went close to adding a third towards the end of the first half, turning away from Joel Veltman and then sprinting towards the 18-yard box before flashing a shot narrowly wide.

Just before the break, Brighton pulled one back. An intricate team move saw Adam Lallana shift the ball to Facundo Buonanotte, who cut inside Colwill and found the far-hand corner with a wonderful curling strike.

The Blues nearly restored their two-goal lead from kick-off when Steele produced a stunning stop to deny a flick from Jackson.

Heading into first-half stoppage time, Chelsea were reduced to ten men when Conor Gallagher received a second booking for a late lunge on