Chelsea have won 4 in a row and Cole Palmer scored in the 2-1 win over Brighton, despite the scare that had occurred in the past after Reece James’ red card.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side found some form at the end of the season and it was a success at the Amex Stadium, with Palmer leading the visitors before the break and Christopher Nkunku doubling the lead after a cut from Malo Gusto in the second half.
James replaced Gusto, but his night ended prematurely as he was sent off for shooting at Joao Pedro after a foul.
That led to a nervous end before ten minutes of stoppage time, when Danny Welbeck crossed his player to take one in the 98th minute, but Les Bleus all but held their ground in a chaotic finale.
This new victory leaves Chelsea sixth in the Premier League, heading into the final day of the season. A point at home to Bournemouth on Sunday will be enough to ensure they finish there, with a defeat at Tottenham to Sheffield United if the Blues the Blues’ Europa League appearance next season may depend solely on the outcome of the FA Cup final between the two Manchester clubs.
Chelsea’s last defeat to Sussex was a humble 4-1 defeat in October 2022, when former boss Graham Potter was cast as the pantomime villain on his first return to Brighton.
Former Seagulls duo Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo shared that role in that instance in a match that gained added merit for the succession of players who swapped the south coast for Stamford Bridge. Left-back Cucurella unleashed even more anger in the stands by committing 3 early fouls without caution and then winning a penalty in the 16th minute.
Referee Michael Salisbury immediately pointed to the spot after the Spanish left-back fell in the penalty area but, to the delight of the home fans, replaced the resolution in the review when replays showed Brighton striker Facundo Buonanotte had won the ball.
Les Bleus took the lead eleven minutes before the break. Cucurella, who continued to be mocked, intervened directly, cutting the ball from the left for Palmer, leaning over, to head a beautiful curved header into the far corner.
Nicolas Jackson was penalised for a push on Tariq Lamptey after heading in Benoit Badiashile’s cross from the right before heading in Palmer’s cross from inside the box in the nine-minute quarter.
Still, the Blues were lucky to get away a few minutes later when a hard header from Pedro hit the crossbar after a pass from Lamptey.
The equalizer was most likely achieved after the break, but Brighton were hit in the 64th minute. Madueke released Gusto down the right and cut the ball for Nkunku to calmly score his first goal since January near the penalty spot.
Chelsea defender James, who came on in the 69th minute in just his second appearance since December in an injury-plagued season, dug his studs into Pedro after being tackled to the ground and, after another VAR review, was sent off for the time being. time this season.
Adingra then volleyed against the left post before Welbeck collected a low cross from Pedro in the 7th minute of added time to increase the tension.
Additional from PA Sport.
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