A clinical attacking display gave Mauricio Pochettino’s side a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Seagulls and edged them closer to Europe. Chelsea may ultimately be the most confusing team in the Premier League this season, but Wednesday evening’s 2-1 victory over Brighton was a showing of confidence and composure for the most part – and a glimpse of what Mauricio Pochettino’s squad looks like at near-full strength.

Cole Palmer continued his ridiculously impressive debut campaign for the Blues, opening the scoring in the first half with a lovely flicked header. The assist, provided by ex-Brighton man Marc Cucurella, was just as good, as the Spaniard had one of his best performances of the season.

Having been so dominant Chelsea gifted Brighton a way back into the game when substitute Reece James – playing just his second match in 2024 after coming back from a long-term injury – was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Joao Pedro.

In the 97th-minute Danny Welbeck netted to halve the deficit, tapping in a Pedro cross, but the visitors held on.

Chelsea moved up to sixth in the table and currently sit in a Europa League spot.

They will guarantee a place in Europe next season if they claim a point at home to Bournemouth on the final day.

Brighton fell to a seventh defeat in ninth matches but remain in 10th place.

Brighton have recorded just three wins since the start of March and have now tasted victory in just one of their past nine matches.

With 10 minutes remaining a point seemed out of the question.

But the Seagulls finished strongly with Simon Adingra striking the inside of the post moments before Welbeck’s consolation goal.

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