In a crazy game, Chelsea deservedly won 4-2 against Fabian Hürzeler’s previously unbeaten Brighton after a world-class performance from Cole Palmer. The match winner achieved a Premier League first with four goals before the break.
Cole Palmer single-handedly shot down Brighton with four goals
picture alliance / empics
Both teams started the game with an open mind. After just seven minutes, Rutter made it 1-0 after a Colwill miss. But the Blues’ response didn’t take long to arrive. Palmer slotted in coldly to make it 1-1, but the striker was about a meter offside (20th). It was the start of historic minutes.
Four Palmer goals before the break count, two don’t
Just one turn of the pointer later, Palmer did better and, after strong preparatory work from Jackson, slotted the ball into the empty net. Two minutes later the Blues made it 2-1 again through Palmer, but the 22-year-old was just offside (23′).
In the 28th minute he scored his second goal from the penalty spot and followed up with a flash of inspiration three more minutes later when he sent a free kick from 20 meters unstoppable into the right crease. But the hat trick wasn’t enough for Palmer. After a bad pass from keeper Verbruggen, the former Man City professional scored a four-pack before the break – something that had never happened before in the Premier League. In between, Baleba had brought the guests within 2:3 after a Sanchez miss (32′).
Jackson and Cucurella miss decision
After the break the game leveled off. Chelsea withdrew significantly and left the ball to Brighton, who didn’t know what to do with it. In contrast to the first half, there were few chances to score.
Premier League, Matchday 6
When things got dangerous, the Blues usually had their feet in the game. First Jackson failed due to a monster save from Webster (55′), then Cucurella pushed the ball over the line after a header from a corner, but for the third time this afternoon a Chelsea goal was disallowed due to offside.
Nevertheless, the Blues celebrated their first home win of the season and moved up to fourth place for the time being, while the Hürzeler team, which had now been winless in four league games, suffered their first defeat of the season. Chelsea continue in the Champions League against Gent next Thursday (9 p.m.). Brighton host Spurs on October 6th (5.30pm).
