Chelsea v Brighton player ratings
Joao Pedro scored at both ends against his former club as Chelsea made it two Premier League victories out of two under new boss Xabi Alonso – just. Here’s how we rated each Blues player in the 4-2 win against Brighton.
Emiliano Martinez: 7
Collected a couple of Brighton corners early and made a big save to keep the score at 3-2 in the second half, before Chelsea added a fourth. Was generally commanding, but should have done better for the third Brighton goal.
Wesley Fofana: 6
Blocked a couple of Brighton crosses at source early, and was the most attacking-minded of the back three before being replaced midway through the second half as Chelsea seemed to have lost control of a chaotic game.
Maxence Lacroix: 6
Strong enough at the back, and often Chelsea’s deepest defender in front of new goalkeeper Martinez. Was the only member of the defence that lasted 90 minutes, and was solid alongside whoever he played with. Made a handful of important challenges around the box, and was often there to head away crosses. Played cheerleader in added time as he hyped up the crowd to get the team over the line.
Levi Colwill: 5
Didn’t look overly comfortable on the left side of the back three, even though he wasn’t at fault for the goals. Was replaced with 20 minutes to go as Xabi Alonso shook up his back line, in a bid to regain control – a decision that worked.
Pedro Neto: 7
Scored with a smart finish when he swept home a Morgan Rogers cutback with the outside of his boot after drifting in between defenders. Should have been rewarded with an assist in the 24th minute, after some excellent work to keep the ball in play, before squaring for Joao Pedro, who missed a sitter. Needed to be stronger to stop a Brighton break for their first goal, when he pulled out of a challenge on the halfway line.
Malo Gusto: 6
Looked at home floating around in a midfield role in front of the back three, and broke forward at times to support Chelsea’s attacks. Perhaps still unsure of his best position in Alonso’s new system, as he found himself in very advanced positions around the box late in the game.
Romeo Lavia: 8
Scored Chelsea’s opener when he poked in from close range. Joao Pedro’s header from a corner was cleared off the line, then spilled by goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, and the ball dropped to Lavia’s feet to finish. He also put himself about in midfield, in what was another promising performance from a player fans haven’t seen enough of yet.
Jorrel Hato: 7
Provided a first-half assist for Joao Pedro with some powerful running on the counter to play in his teammate. Needed no invitation to burst forward throughout, and was a danger down the left, but looked shaky doing the defensive work on occasions.
Cole Palmer: 8
Surprisingly quiet for 73 minutes on a day his attacking teammates dominated. Somehow couldn’t turn a Rogers cross into the net from underneath the crossbar on the hour mark, and lost his man in the build-up to Brighton’s second, but restored Chelsea’s cushion late on. Curled a stunning effort into the bottom corner from 20 yards after picking the ball up from a deep position. Great goal.
Morgan Rogers: 8
Provided a wonderful early assist when he slipped into the box from the left flank to beat two defenders and cut back for Neto’s tap-in. Also played a perfectly weighted pass to set Hato free down the left, and get Chelsea out of a tight spot, in the build-up to the third. Faded a little in the second half, but showed plenty of flashes in the final third.
Joao Pedro: 9
Ran riot in the first half against his former club. Missed a sitter early, but atoned for that when he scored Chelsea’s third with a low finish into the bottom corner. Was impressive with his hold-up play, and while he operated in tight areas, no-one could get close to his silky touches and explosive movement to launch attacks. Unlucky to see Brighton’s second goal deflect off him and into the net, but got himself an assist for Palmer’s goal too.
Reece James: 6
Slipped into midfield late on, in a game he was unlucky not to start. Strong running helped drive Chelsea forward.
Josh Acheampong: 6
Helped restore control in the back line when he was thrown on with just under 25 minutes to go at 3-2. Soon provided an important block as Brighton broke forward from a Gusto mistake, and helped Chelsea over the line.
