BRIGHTON, England (AP) – A Chelsea team with only two of its many prestigious and expensive signings made a winning start in the English Premier League by beating Brighton 3-1 on Monday.
Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, signed for a total of $160 million, failed to score at Amex Stadium, and Chelsea’s goals came from Jorginho, Reece James and Kurt Zouma.
James, the most impressive and crucial, with the 30-metre clash of right-back that led Chelsea to the 2-1 lead in the 56th minute, just two minutes after Brighton tied for Leandro Trossard.
Zouma’s deviant volley in ’66 gave Chelsea a break.
While Havertz was useless in his position to the right of the midfielder, fellow German Werner, the only striker, was most impressive and received the penalty that was traded through Jorginho to break the impasse in the 21st minute.
Brighton midfielder Steven Alzate lost ownership in center midfield when hosts tried to play the ball from behind, Werner was played and was knocked down by goalkeeper Mat Ryan. Jorginho sent Ryan to the road.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, heavily criticized passer-by, started through Chelsea coach Frank Lampard, but his inability to save you Trossard’s shot in the 54th minute from outside the area will likely keep him under surveillance. twisted beyond his outstretched right hand.
James temporarily put Chelsea in front with an astonishing blow that flew to the roof of the net, and the right-back sent to the corner that Zouma encountered with a volley that bounced off the right foot of Brighton defender Adam Webster.
Among Chelsea’s $250 million low-season signings, left-back Ben Chilwell and game creator Hakim Ziyech were injured and central defender Thiago Silva was not in a position after recently joining the team.
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