In the fullness of time Chelsea’s surrender against Brighton in April may be seen as the turning point. The humiliation accelerated Liam Rosenior’s demise and forced the Stamford Bridge hierarchy into a reckoning leading to the appointment of Xabi Alonso, a shift in transfer strategy, the birth of the JP Morgan front three and the end of Robert Sánchez’s time in goal.
For now, though, the argument that Emiliano Martínez is the final piece in the jigsaw seems a touch premature. With seven goals scored and five conceded while winning their first two league games, it is not hard to see where Chelsea need to improve in order to sustain a title challenge. They have to be savvier when ahead, and although the good has so far outweighed the bad Alonso could do with his side not dropping their guard when they have the opposition on the ropes.
Alonso’s cool disappeared as Chelsea’s focus dipped after they went 3-0 up against an injury‑hit Brighton inside 32 minutes. Stamford Bridge was anxious when a João Pedro own‑goal cut the advantage to one just after the hour. Alonso was shouting at his bench and it was only when Cole Palmer scored with 16 minutes left that calm was restored.
Xabi Alonso has won his first two league games as Chelsea manager, but neither have been what you would call relaxing. Photograph: David Klein/Reuters
Not for long, mind you, given that Brighton still managed to grab a consolation through Pascal Gross deep into added time.
It was that kind of game, Martínez conceding three despite playing well on his debut after joining from Aston Villa for £7.5m. “We can hurt teams,” the Argentina goalkeeper said. “At the back, we need to bring the goals down.”
Alonso agreed. Chelsea have been thrilling in transition – they beat Fulham with 37% possession last Monday and had only 26% against Brighton – but they must tighten up when they visit Arsenal next Sunday.
Equally, few sights will be more captivating this season than Palmer combining with João Pedro and Morgan Rogers in attack. Palmer looks refreshed after a summer off and Chelsea will be dangerous when games turn into shootouts. They have so many ways to score. The hope is that there will be more stability with Martínez in position.
Alonso did not hesitate to start Martínez, even though the Argentinian lacks match practice and joined on Friday. “He felt ready,” Alonso said of Martínez, the first 30‑something player to start for Chelsea since Thiago Silva in May 2024. “We will feel his presence because he has this charisma, this aura to influence.”
Chelsea, again in a 3-4-2-1 system, are getting serious. Sánchez was not even on the bench against his old side and needs to leave. There was a huge ovation for Martínez before kick‑off and it was followed by the focus switching to Brighton’s No 1 in the fourth minute, a handling error from Bart Verbruggen allowing Roméo Lavia to put Chelsea ahead after Mats Wieffer had cleared a João Pedro header off the line from a corner.
It was a lovely moment for Lavia. It was four years to the day since the Belgian’s last goal, against Chelsea coincidentally enough. His luck with injuries is hopefully turning.
Roméo Lavia was on hand to punish Bart Verbruggen’s early handling error and put Chelsea 1-0 up. Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC/Getty Images
Lavia starting his second consecutive league game was important with Chelsea light in midfield. Moisés Caicedo limped off after coming on in the second half, Reece James started on the bench and Enzo Fernández was off pining for a move to Manchester City, so Malo Gusto moved in from right wing-back to partner Lavia.
Chelsea’s selection issues were nothing compared to Brighton’s problems, though. Fabian Hürzeler did not use the absence of Jack Hinshelwood, Yasin Ayari, Georginio Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh as an excuse, but it had an impact.
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Chelsea were rampant. Rogers continued his fine start after joining from Villa, creating the second goal with a powerful surge away from Luka Vuskovic in the 14th minute. Brighton were caught cold by a throw‑in and Rogers crossed for Pedro Neto to score.
Linked with a move away this summer, Neto has been repurposed by Alonso as a wing-back and was bright. João Pedro missed a chance after strong pressing from the Portugal international. The away end jeered but João Pedro converted his next opportunity, when a Rogers flick sent Jorrel Hato flying down the left to set the former Brighton striker up.
João Pedro rather summed up Chelsea’s start under Xabi Alonso with a goal, an assist and an own goal. Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC/Getty Images
Chelsea’s mistake was thinking it was over. Brighton responded before half‑time, Malick Yalcouyé volleying in after Martínez made a brave block from Charalampos Kostoulas. “They showed belief in their quality,” Hürzeler said of his players.
The German thought Brighton deserved more. Chelsea were wobbling when João Pedro diverted a Gross cross past Martínez. Diego Gómez then lashed a shot wide and Martínez denied Olivier Boscagli the equaliser.
Alonso needed his big players to step up. Palmer, who had earlier sidefooted over from close range, delivered when he took a João Pedro flick and bent a shot past Verbruggen. Chelsea will be anything but dull.