Brighton 1-3 Chelsea as it happened
Chelsea rounded off the Premier League’s Match Week one fixtures with a 3-1 win away at Brighton on Monday night. Chelsea were not the better team in all departments at the AMEX Stadium but they found a way to win. The win places them third on the early table, just behind Arsenal and Leicester. Read the full match report below. 
Frank Lampard’s men showed glimpses of what should be expected this season as they overcame Brighton despite having a lesser ball possession count than their hosts. As Lampard said after the game, it was one of those games they would have dropped points last season.
Team news
Brighton: Ryan; White, Webster, Dunk; Lamptey, Lallana, Bissouma, Alzate, March; Maupay, Trossard. Chelsea: Kepa; James, Christensen, Zouma, Alonso; Jorginho, Kanté, Loftus-Cheek; Havertz, Mount, Werner.
Full time: Brighton 1-3 Chelsea
Brighton controlled the game early on, creating chances and seeing more of the ball, however, they were unable to convert their chances. It was Chelsea who opened the scoring in the 20th minute as Jorginho converted a penalty in trademark style. Werner was brought down in the box by Brighton’s goalie Matt Ryan and the referee awarded a penalty. Jorginho who has never missed a penalty since joining Chelsea stepped up to take it, and like he always does, he skips, runs and hops as he strikes the ball. And yes, he does bury it into the bottom corner, sending Ryan the wrong way. Brighton responded well to that goal, former Chelsea man Tariq Lamptey constantly doing damage down the right flank for the hosts. They could not find the equalizer, however, as Chelsea went into the halftime break ahead.
The hosts began the second half like they did the first and were soon rewarded for their persistence, Trossard drawing them level with a 20 yarder that Kepa Arrizabalaga could not prevent from finding the bottom corner. It didn’t take long for Chelsea to restore their lead however as Reece James hit a 25-yard shot via his right boot past Ryan and into the top corner. It was an absolute belter of a goal, and James’ first in the Premier League. Although Brighton tried to respond, Chelsea soon put the game beyond their reach some 10 minutes later with Kurt Zouma getting in on the act. Reece James had a hand in the goal, as he won a corner which he took himself. Zouma is first to it, and his lofted shot is helped into the back of the net by a wicked deflection. From that point, there was no way back for the seagulls as Chelsea comfortably closed out the game. Brighton 1-3 Chelsea it ended at the Amex stadium.
Havertz and Werner make their debuts
Chelsea handed debut starts to their new German contingents Timo Werner and Kai Havertz. Werner played the full match and was quite impressive, constantly terrorizing Brighton’s backline with his runs. He won a penalty which Captain for the night, Jorginho converted to break the deadlock. Just the goal missing from his first competitive game for the blues. The versatile Havertz was deployed on the right-wing due to the absence of Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic. He may not have scored or provided an assist, but there were signs that showed will adapt to English football in no time. He was replaced by Callum Hudson-Odoi with 10 minutes of normal time left to play.
Chelsea’s old boys steal the show
All the talk going into this match was centred on Chelsea’s new signings and summer spending. Some of the new boys did make their debuts and played their parts but it was Chelsea’s old contingents that got the goods. Jorginho and James both scored and assisted a goal while Zouma was also on the scoresheet. Frank Lampard would probably have a selection dilemma in their next game.
Will Pulisic and Ziyech be for Liverpool clash?
Next on the calendar for Chelsea is a crunch date with defending Champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge! Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech missed out on the win against Brighton as did Ben Chilwell. Fans would be hoping that they return to fitness before Sunday’s game against Liverpool. Pulisic was particularly impressive the last time he faced the reds and Lampard would be looking to have him ready before Sunday. The American only returned to training last week after a few weeks out injured. However, neither he nor Ziyech trained with the rest of the squad in Cobham on Wednesday.
Thiago Silva and Chilwell trains
New signings Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell were pictured training with the rest of the squad on Wednesday as they prepared for Sunday’s big game against Liverpool. Silva looked sharp and could well be in contention for a place in the team sheet on Sunday. However, if the game against Liverpool is too soon for both of them, the signs are clear that they will return to action soon.