Chelsea Survive Brighton Fightback to Win 4-3, Alonso's Home Debut Ends in Victory

Chelsea survived a spirited Brighton fightback to win 4-3 at Stamford Bridge, marking Xabi Alonso's first home game in charge with two wins from two to start the season.

Chelsea raced into a three-goal lead inside the opening half hour through Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto and João Pedro. Brighton hit back through Malick Yalcouyé before the break, and further pulled level in the second half when Pedro turned a Pascal Gross effort into his own net. Cole Palmer restored the two-goal cushion with a composed finish, but Brighton weren't finished — Gross headed home deep into stoppage time to complete a grandstand finish, though it was too late to deny Chelsea the win.