Chelsea faced the challenge of playing the entire second half with 10 players but managed to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Brighton in a tense finale at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino’s team had already established a 2-0 lead with headers from Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill when Conor Gallagher received a second yellow card for fouling Billy Gilmour in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
Just before Gallagher’s dismissal, Facundo Buonanotte narrowed the gap to 2-1 for Brighton with a well-placed strike inside the post, setting the stage for a potential comeback by the visitors.
Contrary to expectations, Chelsea reasserted their dominance, with Fernandez converting from the spot in the middle of the second half after Mykhailo Mudryk was fouled.
Joao Pedro, coming off the bench, headed a goal back at the beginning of an extended period of added time. Chelsea then had to weather a penalty scare in the game’s final moments, with concerns of a possible handball against Colwill. However, they managed to hold on for the 3-2 win.
