Palmer Shines as Chelsea Overcome Brighton in Thrilling Encounter

Chelsea secured a convincing 4-2 victory over Brighton at Stamford Bridge, thanks to a sensational four-goal display from Cole Palmer. The young forward made history by becoming the first player in Premier League history to score four times in the first half of a match.

Brighton started the match strongly, taking an early lead just seven minutes in. However, Chelsea quickly responded, and Palmer's remarkable solo performance turned the tide in their favor. His standout moment came from a stunning 30-yard free-kick that found the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen with no chance.

Despite a late first-half goal from Brighton's Nathan Ferguson, who capitalized on a mistake by Chelsea's goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, the Seagulls were unable to mount a comeback. The second half saw both Palmer and Nicolas Jackson threaten to extend Chelsea’s lead further, but strong defensive work from Lewis Dunk kept the scoreline from widening.

Chelsea dominated the match with an impressive expected goals (xG) total of 3.19, reflecting their attacking prowess. Meanwhile, Brighton struggled to create significant chances, finishing the game with an xG of only 1.08.

The win is a timely boost for Chelsea as they prepare for upcoming fixtures against Gent in the Europa Conference League and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. For Brighton, this match marked their first defeat of the season, as they look to regroup before facing Tottenham in their next outing. 

Overall, Palmer’s heroics not only secured a vital three points for Chelsea but also showcased the potential of a player who continues to make waves in the Premier League.