Chelsea preserved their 100 per cent start to the Premier League season with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto and former Brighton forward João Pedro put Chelsea three goals ahead within the opening 32 minutes. Brighton responded through Malick Yalcouyé before half-time and reduced the deficit further when a cross deflected off João Pedro and into his own net shortly after the interval.
Cole Palmer restored Chelsea’s two-goal advantage with a composed long-range finish, although Pascal Groß headed a late third for Brighton in the sixth minute of stoppage time. The result gave Xabi Alonso two league wins from two since taking charge, while new goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made his Chelsea debut following his reported £7.5 million move from Aston Villa.
João Pedro, who joined Chelsea from Brighton during the summer, was booed by the visiting supporters but played a decisive role at both ends of the pitch. Brighton had opened their campaign with a 4-0 win over Aston Villa and mounted a strong second-half fightback, but Chelsea held on to move into the early title picture.
Sunderland secured their first points of the campaign with a 1-0 home victory over Fulham. Wilson Isidor scored in the 75th minute, finishing a move created by fellow substitute Habib Diarra, to give Régis Le Bris’ side a valuable win at the Stadium of Light.
The result ended Sunderland’s 17-year wait for a Premier League victory over Fulham and left Álvaro Arbeloa’s side without a point from their opening two matches. Sunderland had begun the season with defeat at Ipswich Town.
Leeds United and Brentford remained unbeaten after drawing 1-1 at Elland Road. Kevin Schade put Brentford ahead late in the first half after the visitors had dominated the opening period, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalised with 11 minutes remaining by turning in a cross from Lukas Nmecha.
Both clubs had won their opening fixtures, with Leeds overcoming Nottingham Forest and Brentford beating Tottenham Hotspur. Leeds’ second-half response earned them a share of the points, while Brentford were left to reflect on missed opportunities after creating several chances before the interval.
