Enzo Fernandez scored a brace as 10-man Chelsea defeated Brighton in a Stamford Bridge thriller.

Early Lead and Swift Response

Chelsea claimed an early advantage as the Argentine midfielder netted the opener after 17 minutes, followed swiftly by Levi Colwill’s maiden Chelsea goal four minutes later. 

Despite Facundo Buonanotte’s superb curling effort reducing the deficit for Brighton, the Blues were firmly in control until a turning point occurred.

Shift in Momentum

Chelsea’s dominance faced a setback as Conor Gallagher received a second yellow card, reducing the hosts to ten men just before halftime. Nevertheless, Fernandez’s penalty midway through the second half reinstated Chelsea’s two-goal lead, altering the course of the game once more.

Late Drama and VAR Intrigue

Brighton, despite their possession, struggled to break through Chelsea’s defense until Joao Pedro’s injury-time header revived their hopes. The Seagulls were awarded a penalty in added time, only for VAR to overturn the decision, ruling that the ball had struck Colwill’s head rather than his outstretched arm.

Final Outcome

Chelsea secured a hard-fought victory, marking only their second home win in the Premier League this season. Conversely, Brighton’s defeat extended their run to just one win in their last eight league games.