EPL: Chelsea narrowly defeat Brighton 3-2 with 10-man squad

Ten-person West Ham and Crystal Palace drew 1-1, while Chelsea defeated Brighton 3-2 despite captain Conor Gallagher receiving a red card.

Despite being reduced to 10 men prior to halftime, Chelsea managed to secure just their second home Premier League victory of the year against Brighton.

Midway through the first half, Mauricio Pochettino’s team was leading 2-0 thanks to strikes from Levi Colwill and Enzo Fernandez.

Just before halftime, Facundo Buonanotte cut the visitors’ deficit in half, and Gallagher still had time to receive a second yellow card, which completely changed the course of the game.

Joao Pedro scored in stoppage time to put further pressure on the home team, but Fernandez’s penalty kick restored Chelsea’s two-goal lead.

After examining the incident on the pitchside monitor, the referee overturned his on-field ruling and Brighton was awarded a penalty for a handball by Colwill in the 101st minute, but Chelsea managed to hold on.

“Overall, we’re happy, but the team is tired,” he continued. “After losing 4-1 to Newcastle, we had to present a different image. That explains my happiness.

In the ninetieth minute, Aston Villa striker Watkins headed in a cross from Moussa Diaby to save a point for Unai Emery’s team, keeping them in fourth position.

Leon Bailey had earlier cancelled off Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth’s opening goal before Dominic Solanke gave the home team a second advantage.

“We are not starting games well away from home, but it shows our resilience,” Watkins remarked.

It will benefit us if we can resolve that. We are playing well and want to win every game. We see ourselves as opponents to everyone.

Mohammed Kudus gave West Ham the lead at the London Stadium in the first half, but Odsonne Edouard equalised in the second to give Crystal Palace a point.

AFP