One of the barmiest games in living memory saw Chelsea defeat Brighton 4-2 at Stamford Bridge, with Cole Palmer the first player in Premier League history to score four times in an opening half. Indeed a scoreline of 7-4 wouldn’t have been unreasonable after a surreal first 45 minutes, with spectators staring open-mouthed as goal
One of the barmiest games in living memory saw Chelsea defeat Brighton 4-2 at Stamford Bridge, with Cole Palmer the first player in Premier League history to score four times in an opening half.
Indeed a scoreline of 7-4 wouldn’t have been unreasonable after a surreal first 45 minutes, with spectators staring open-mouthed as goal after goal flew in, interleafed by a shoal of disallowed efforts.
Manager Enzo Maresca, centre, watches the drama unfold at the Bridge
“I was happy with the result and the performance,” said Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, adding with Italian understatement: “The game didn’t start in the way we planned it.”
Well, you can say that again. Brighton played with such a high line that at times the Albion defenders were ranged along Chelsea’s penalty area. Just pause and consider that for a moment.
Most managers would consider that type of daring away-from-home tactic suicidal. Not Seagulls’ gaffer Marc Hurzeler, who was rewarded when his team took the lead after seven minutes as Georgino Rutter capitalised on some Keystone Cops defending and headed into an empty net.
But then the floodgates opened. Cole Palmer scored a hat-trick in 10 minutes, the third being an exquisite free kick into the top corner.
Yet Brighton pegged it back to 3-2 as half-time loomed, before Blues captain Enzo Fernandez cut out a Brighton pass to let Jadon Sancho (playing his first match at Stamford Bridge) feed Palmer, and the No20 made it four by firing his shot at the narrowest of gaps, rather than the 20ft of empty space on the other side of goalie Bart Verbruggen.
The VAR team were kept busy, ruling out a string of offside ‘goals’
A relatively dull second half allowed everyone to catch their breath. Much more of this and seats at the Bridge will have to come fitted with individual defibrillators.
After midweek European action for the Blues, Chelsea host Forest on Sunday. If fans’ tickers can stand it.
Meanwhile Chelsea Women fired seven goals past newly promoted Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, as they build up to a sterner test against visitors Man U at Kingsmeadow on Sunday.
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