By Aadam Patel

Brighton, May 15, 2024 – Chelsea continued their impressive late-season form by securing a crucial 2-1 victory over Brighton at the Amex Stadium. Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku were the heroes for the Blues, while Reece James faced disappointment with a late red card.

Match Summary

• Cole Palmer opened the scoring for Chelsea with a well-placed header after the half-hour mark, tallying his 22nd Premier League goal of the season.
• Christopher Nkunku doubled Chelsea’s lead in the second half, slotting home from Malo Gusto’s low cross.
• Despite James’ red card, Brighton rallied, and Danny Welbeck found the net in stoppage time.
• Chelsea’s fourth consecutive Premier League win lifted them to sixth place in the table, enhancing their European qualification hopes ahead of a final-day clash with Bournemouth.

Player Ratings

Brighton (4-2-3-1)

1. Bart Verbruggen (Goalkeeper) - Rating: 5

   • Kept busy throughout the game, making crucial saves but was caught off his line for Palmer’s goal.
   • Fortunate not to receive a red card for a late challenge on Nicolas Jackson.

2. Tariq Lamptey (Right Back) - Rating: 7

   • Battled well down the right flank, delivering a dangerous ball for Joao Pedro.
   • Unlucky not to get an assist after Pascal Gross missed a sitter.

3. Adam Webster (Center Back) - Rating: 5

   • Lucky to escape punishment early on after a foul in the box.
   • Held his ground alongside Igor Julio but couldn’t stop Chelsea’s attack.

4. Lewis Dunk (Center Back) - Rating: 4

   • Booked in the first half and forced off due to injury.
   • A concern for England manager Gareth Southgate.

5. Igor Julio (Left Back/Center Back) - Rating: 6

   • Started at left-back and shifted to center-back after Dunk’s substitution.
   • Brighton missed his presence down the left flank.

6. Pascal Gross (Midfielder) - Rating: 5

   • Struggled to make an impact and missed a crucial chance to level the score.
   • An unusually below-par performance from the German.

7. Billy Gilmour (Midfielder) - Rating: 5

   • Like his midfield partner, failed to leave a mark against his former club.
   • Substituted in the 70th minute for Carlos Baleba.

8. Facundo Buonanotte (Midfielder) - Rating: 5

   • Involved in an early VAR incident, where the referee overturned a penalty decision.
   • Roberto De Zerbi cautioned him against going down easily in the box.