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Chelsea secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over Brighton on Sunday, extending Xabi Alonso‘s flawless record as the club’s manager.
Since assuming the managerial role, Alonso has guided Chelsea to back-to-back Premier League wins alongside a League Cup triumph, showcasing a promising start to his tenure.
The scoring opened at Stamford Bridge when Romeo Lavia netted his first goal for Chelsea following his 2023 transfer from Southampton. The Blues then surged ahead with goals from Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro, establishing a strong 3-0 lead before Brighton’s Malick Yalcouye pulled one back late in a hectic first half.
Late Drama Keeps Chelsea on Top
After the interval, tension mounted as Pedro inadvertently scored an own goal, narrowing the gap and putting Chelsea under pressure. However, Cole Palmer restored some calm by scoring in the closing stages. Despite Pascal Gross finding the net during stoppage time, Brighton couldn’t overturn the deficit.
Looking ahead, Chelsea are preparing for a significant challenge as they travel to face reigning Premier League champions Arsenal on September 6. This fixture marks Alonso’s first major test after impressive victories against Fulham, Luton, and Brighton.
Alonso, formerly of Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, has revitalized Chelsea’s attacking prowess, with the team netting nine goals across their opening three matches. Nonetheless, defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern, with four goals conceded so far.
With the transfer window closing soon, attention is turning to whether midfielder Enzo Fernandez will be available to strengthen Alonso’s squad moving forward.
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