In a rain-drenched encounter at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea emerged victorious in a thrilling 3-2 battle against Brighton and Hove Albion, marking a significant moment with the debut Premier League goals from Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill.
The action-packed clash witnessed Argentine prodigy Enzo Fernandez, showcasing his World Cup-winning flair, heading home a brilliant overhead kick from defender Benoit Badiashile in the 17th minute, setting the tone for a scintillating performance. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet.
The momentum surged in Chelsea’s favor as Colwill, previously on loan at Brighton, capitalized on a Nicolas Jackson headed pass just four minutes later, doubling the lead for the home side and solidifying their early dominance.
However, the tide began to turn as Brighton fought back valiantly, narrowing the deficit just before halftime with a curling shot from Facundo Buonanotte, igniting hopes of a comeback.
Chelsea’s aspirations were momentarily dampened as captain Conor Gallagher was shown a red card on the stroke of halftime for a second yellow card offense following a sliding tackle on former Chelsea teammate Billy Gilmour, reducing them to 10 men.
Brighton seized the opportunity, pressing aggressively in the second half. However, their efforts were met with resistance, and a substitution turned pivotal as James Milner’s challenge on Mykhailo Mudryk led to a VAR-assisted penalty decision in favor of Chelsea. Fernandez capitalized on the opportunity, securing his second goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 65th minute.
In a nerve-racking culmination, Brighton’s Joao Pedro kept the tension alive with a glancing header in the 92nd minute, ensuring a frenetic finish to the encounter.
Reflecting on the win, Enzo Fernandez expressed, “It feels great to contribute with goals for the team. The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge was incredible, and I’m thrilled to have scored my first Premier League goals here.”
Despite the challenging circumstances, Chelsea showcased resilience and determination, clinching a hard-fought victory and leaving fans enthralled with an action-packed display of Premier League football. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports.