Enzo Fernandez scored his first Premier League double as 10-man Chelsea bounced back from last week’s 4-1 mauling at Newcastle with a 3-2 win over Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
Fernandez benefited from some sloppy Brighton defending to head home his first Chelsea goal on 17 minutes before Levi Colwill did likewise with another close-range header four minutes later with the visitors again found wanting at the back.
Facundo Buonanotte scored a delightful swerving goal for Roberto De Zerbi’s side just before the break, keeping hopes alive for the hosts.
Enzo Fernandez converted from the spot after James Milner was deemed to have fouled Mykhalio Mudryk by VAR.
Joao Pedro late minute penalty was not more than a consolation, but they ultimately did not have enough in falling to a first defeat to Chelsea in six matches.
There was also time for some late VAR confusion when the ball clearly came off the head of Colwill in 10 minutes of added-time with referee Craig Pawson seeming to point to the penalty spot before going to the monitor in realising he had made a mistake as the visiting fans celebrated.
At the end of a hectic afternoon that saw players from both sides jostle around the match officials at full-time, Chelsea move up to 10th in the table, three points behind Brighton, who remain in ninth spot with 22 points from 14 matches.
