Brighton vs Chelsea - LIVE!

Chelsea made it four wins in a row as Cole Palmer scored again in a 2-1 victory over Brighton, despite a late scare after Reece James’ red card. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have found some late-season form and it was a successful trip to the Amex Stadium, with Palmer heading the visitors in front before half-time and Christopher Nkunku doubling the advantage from a Malo Gusto cut-back in the second-half.

James came on to replace Gusto but saw his night come to a premature end, as he was sent off for kicking out at Joao Pedro having been fouled. That set up a nervy finale heading into ten minutes of stoppage-time, particularly when Danny Welbeck got across his man to pull one back in the 98th-minute, but the Blues just about held firm in a chaotic finale.

The latest victory leaves Chelsea sixth in the Premier League, heading into the final day of the season. A point at home to Bournemouth on Sunday will be enough to ensure they finish there, with a Tottenham defeat needed against Sheffield United if the Blues are to snatch fifth place.

Brighton vs Chelsea latest news

• GOAL! Welbeck gives Brighton late hope

• RED CARD! James punished for kick out

• GOAL! Nkunku doubles lead for visitors

• GOAL! Palmer heads Chelsea in front

• NO PENALTY! VAR overturns decision after Cucurella brought down

Chelsea player ratings

22:18 , Matt Verri

Cole Palmer - 8

He was elegant, classy and impactful in everything he did. Superb again from the talisman.

Mykhailo Mudryk - 6

The Ukraine international built on some improving performances but then went off with a head injury.

Nicolas Jackson - 7

The Senegal striker was in fighting spirit at the Amex Stadium, held up the ball well and scored but was flagged offside.

Read our full ratings here!

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

22:03 , Matt Verri

What a game. Chelsea survive a difficult end and win their fourth match in a row despite Reece James’s red card and Danny Welbeck’s late goal.

A huge three points in the race for Europe. Plenty to be pleased about, details to improve upon but a big win.

FT: Brighton 1-2 Chelsea

21:54 , Matt Verri

Chelsea secure all three points!

James’ late red card made that much more difficult than it needed to be, but it’s four on the bounce for the Blues.

They now look very likely to finish sixth.

Brighton 1-2 Chelsea

21:52 , Matt Verri

90+10 mins: Chelsea throwing bodies in the way... Gross nearly turns it in from a short corner!

Brighton throwing everything at this. Chelsea can’t get out.

Brighton 1-2 Chelsea

21:51 , Matt Verri

90+9 mins: Still at least two minutes to go.

The Amex is bouncing - Chelsea hanging on for dear life.

GOAL! Brighton 1-2 Chelsea | Danny Welbeck 90+8'

21:49 , Matt Verri

Well then...

Welbeck pulls one back. We’ve got a chaotic couple of minutes ahead!

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

21:48 , Matt Verri

Casadei and Ugochukwu are coming on.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have cast a voodoo spell on their goal. How they haven’t conceded is remarkable.

A good performance but Brighton are worthy of at least one goal.

Brighton 0-2 Chelsea

21:46 , Matt Verri

90+4 mins: Off the post!

Brighton inches away. Adingra drags an effort towards the far corner, bounces back off the inside of the post.

Brighton 0-2 Chelsea

21:45 , Matt Verri

90+3 mins: Chalobah has moved to right back, Silva obviously in the centre of defence.

Everyone behind the ball for the Blues. Brighton as patient as ever.

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

21:43 , Matt Verri

Reece James sent off for a David Beckham against Argentina-type action. It's easy to sympathise with him.

He has had his injuries and got protective after an innocuous foul.

The kick out wasn’t dangerous but he caught Joao Pedro.

Brighton 0-2 Chelsea

21:43 , Matt Verri

90 mins: TEN minutes added on!

Pochettino stunned. Home fans are right back involved again.

Brighton 0-2 Chelsea

21:41 , Matt Verri

89 mins: Here comes the bus.

Jackson off, Silva on. Chelsea just need to hang on now.

RED CARD!

21:39 , Matt Verri

James is off!

Referee goes to the monitor and decides the Chelsea right-back did indeed kick out.

So unnecessary.

Brighton 0-2 Chelsea

21:39 , Matt Verri

87 mins: VAR check here - did James kick out at Pedro?

He did certainly react after being brought down by Pedro.

Brighton 0-2 Chelsea

21:36 , Matt Verri

84 mins: Brighton fans getting irritated with their side’s refusal to shoot.

Pedro, Welbeck and Gross all dance around with it in the box, before Chelsea hack it away.

Barco then swings in a sensational cross... through everyone. Any touch and it was a goal.

Brighton 0-2 Chelsea

21:35 , Matt Verri

83 mins: Sterling the man standing over this free-kick. Not sure about that.

And still not sure as he strolls up and basically chips it straight at the goalkeeper.

Brighton 0-2 Chelsea

21:33 , Matt Verri

81 mins: Verbruggen flies off his line, changes his mind, and then slides in anyway on Jackson.

Brings down the Chelsea forward just outside the area. Can be grateful it’s only a yellow card.

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

21:31 , Matt Verri

Trevoh Chalobah has been very good again today. He has been really busy but classy in everything he has done.

It would be very harsh to sell him this summer after such a good end to the season.

Brighton 0-2 Chelsea

21:29 , Matt Verri

77 mins: Ironic cheers around the Amex, as Sterling is booked for hauling down Barco.

The Brighton man has been really impressive since coming on at the break. So direct.

Brighton 0-2 Chelsea

21:24 , Matt Verri

72 mins: Adingra with a decent ball into the middle, Pedro gets up well but he can’t direct the header at all.

So much space for Chelsea on the counter, but Nkunku opts to slow things down this time.

Brighton 0-2 Chelsea

21:21 , Matt Verri

69 mins: At long last, here is James. It’s Gusto who he replaces.

Madueke doesn’t survive for long though, Sterling on in his place instead.

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

21:19 , Matt Verri

Christopher Nkunku whips out his trademark balloon for the first time in Chelsea colours after turning in Malo Gusto's cut-back.

Another great goal from Chelsea but they have had to ride their luck and wait until the magic happens.

It certainly did there.

Brighton 0-2 Chelsea

21:18 , Matt Verri

66 mins: The balloon celebration too from Nkunku - full on party mode in the away end now. Chelsea in charge.

Madueke coming off for the Blues, James on for the final half an hour or so.

Or not, late change of plan as he was trudging off. Madueke stays on for now. James made to wait.

GOAL! Brighton 0-2 Chelsea | Christopher Nkunku 64'

21:15 , Matt Verri

Good spell for Brighton... but Chelsea double their lead!

Nkunku with the finishing touch, after getting on the end of Gusto’s cut-back.

Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

21:13 , Matt Verri

62 mins: Adingra one-on-one with Chalobah, the Chelsea man does just about enough to stick with him. Has to concede a corner, though.

Couple of poor balls in. Jackson and then Badiashile with the clearing job.

Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

21:11 , Matt Verri

59 mins: Chelsea suddenly looking fairly ragged.

Brighton fans are up, the hosts are dominating the ball and Chelsea can barely get a kick.

Pedro played through by Gilmour, back to Adingra and his ball in is cleared.

Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

21:09 , Matt Verri

57 mins: What a chance! And what a miss.

Lamptey with a superb ball in, Gross looks certain to score but it’s somehow sent wide from about five yards out.

Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

21:07 , Matt Verri

54 mins: Dear me, Jackson can thank his lucky stars he’s offside.

Clean through on goal, Nkunku there waiting for a tap-in. Instead it’s an awful ball, Webster turns it away and the flag goes up.

Hold up - replays show he was onside! Would have counted.

Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

21:05 , Matt Verri

53 mins: For once, it’s pretty poor from Palmer.

Caicedo sets Chelsea away on the counter, Nkunku plays in Palmer.

He has Jackson completely free at the back post, but he twists and turns a couple of times, before seeing a shot blocked.

Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

21:04 , Matt Verri

52 mins: More Chelsea pressure, as they push for a second.

Madueke can’t find room for the shot, lays it off to Palmer instead. Slid wide to Gusto, who fizzes a low effort beyond the far post.

Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

21:01 , Matt Verri

49 mins: Chelsea with a massive chance on the counter, can’t take advantage.

Great work from Madueke, he finds Jackson and he has Jackson completely free to his left.

Pass is behind him, otherwise the Frenchman was clean through. Has to slow down, still gets the shot away but it’s comfortably wide.

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

20:59 , Matt Verri

Chelsea are very lucky to escape there as Simon Adingra is brought down by Malo Gusto in the box.

That's a stonewall penalty, strangely waved away by VAR.

Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

20:59 , Matt Verri

47 mins: Brighton screaming within a minute of the restart, they are demanding a penalty.

Adingra went down under a challenge from Gusto in the box. Play waved on.

Back underway!

20:56 , Matt Verri

Up and running again.

Brighton have made a change at the break. Barco replaces Dunk.

Concern for the Blues...

20:47 , Matt Verri

One to keep an eye on, Malo Gusto with an injury scare just before the break.

Reece James not a bad option off the bench, if required.

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

20:42 , Matt Verri

Chelsea were resolute from early Brighton pressure and Cole Palmer’s class then found a way through. A really good game at the Amex Stadium.

Chelsea are needing to tap into their new-found solidity... it is a close match.

HT: Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

20:40 , Matt Verri

And that’s half-time at the Amex.

Chelsea in front through yet another goal from Cole Palmer. Probably deserved overall, too.

Brighton fans have been right up for it, little in the way of big chances for their players though.

Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

20:39 , Matt Verri

45+7 mins: All Chelsea at the end of this half.

Palmer fires a low ball across the face of goal, Jackson sticks a leg out and the ball floats wide. Should have done better.

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

20:36 , Matt Verri

Nicolas Jackson scores a far post header but it is ruled out.

It will serve to unsettle Brighton.

GOOO... NO!

20:36 , Matt Verri

Jackson heads in, but the whistle goes.

Great ball from Badiashile, Jackson nods home at the back post... not given.

Referee thinks there was a shove on Lamptey.

Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

20:33 , Matt Verri

45+2 mins: Chance for Brighton to equalise, they over-play it though.

Chelsea lose it at the back, Adingra plays in Pedro. He doesn’t get the shot away, lays it off to Gross... and he too is crowded out.

Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

20:32 , Matt Verri

45 mins: Settle in.

NINE minutes added on at the end of the half!

Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

20:30 , Matt Verri

44 mins: Nearly two for Palmer and Chelsea.

It’s a lovely flowing move, Madueke playing in Gusto on the overlap. He picks out Palmer, who gets the first-time shot away but Dunk gets himself in the way.

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

20:28 , Matt Verri

Cole Palmer has scored 22 league goals, matching Frank Lampard’s best season in the Premier League in 2009/10.

Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

20:27 , Matt Verri

41 mins: Mudryk has walked down the tunnel, his night is over.

Nkunku coming on, it’s a concussion substitution.

Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

20:25 , Matt Verri

38 mins: No conclusive evidence, is the VAR verdict.

Lamptey maybe a bit fortunate. Mudryk still down receiving treatment, after the blow to his head.

Brighton 0-1 Chelsea

20:23 , Matt Verri

37 mins: Play paused with Mudryk down off the ball.

Got a shove from Lamptey as he tried to spin in behind, Brighton man knew exactly what he was doing. Looked to be in the face.

VAR taking a look at this...

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

20:22 , Matt Verri

Wow, what a header from Cole Palmer. Any striker in the Premier League would be happy with that one and it is not a skill that he is known for.

Marc Cucurella with the assist against his former club. Chelsea haven't been brilliant but have soaked up the pressure and found a moment of quality.

GOAL! Brighton 0-1 Chelsea | Cole Palmer 34'

20:20 , Matt Verri

Brilliant from Palmer!

Cucurella gets in down the left, plays the ball into the middle and Palmer makes the run across his man to flick a header into the far corner.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

20:20 , Matt Verri

33 mins: Maybe not. Dunk has trotted over to the touchline and made it very clear he wants to carry on. Take a seat, Baleba.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

20:18 , Matt Verri

32 mins: Concern for Brighton, with Dunk down in the centre circle.

Baleba warming up - the Seagulls could well be forced into a change.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

20:16 , Matt Verri

30 mins: No surprise that it’s Palmer standing over this.

Bit of a surprise that he sends it straight into the wall at about shin height.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

20:15 , Matt Verri

29 mins: Superb from Jackson, dropping deep and picking the ball up, running away from Dunk.

Gets tripped just outside the area, booking for the Brighton captain.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

20:13 , Matt Verri

27 mins: Gusto can drive towards the Brighton area, shot takes a deflection off Igor and it’s a decent save to tip the looping strike over.

Palmer deep, towards Chalobah at the back post. Over his head.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

20:11 , Matt Verri

25 mins: Lamptey getting plenty of joy on that right wing, up against Cucurella.

Another dangerous ball into the middle, Enciso free but he can’t direct the header. Loops comfortably over.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

20:09 , Matt Verri

23 mins: Webster with a good challenge on Mudryk, followed by a late one seconds later. Bit too keen.

Brighton doing a really good job of keeping the likes of Palmer and Madueke quiet. Barely had a kick.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

20:06 , Matt Verri

20 mins: That decision has only got the Brighton fans more animated. Real test this for Chelsea.

Couple of loose passes from the visitors, who look slightly rattled.

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

20:05 , Matt Verri

VAR Peter Bankes sent referee Michael Salisbury to the screen and he overturns a penalty decision.

It was Facundo Buonanotte who made a rash tackle on Marc Cucurella but he did get the ball in the riskiest of circumstances.

Probably the right decision but also lucky from a Brighton perspective.

NO PENALTY!

20:04 , Matt Verri

And it is indeed overturned.

Didn’t ever look like it should have been a penalty, right decision in the end.

Premier League clubs are going to be voting whether to scrap VAR...

20:03 , Matt Verri

Think this will be overturned.

Buonanotte has got a touch on the ball, referee over to look at the monitor.

PENALTY CHELSEA!

20:03 , Matt Verri

Wow!

Brighton can’t believe it.

Buonanotte slides in on Cucurella in the box, looks to be a good tackle but the referee points to the spot.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

20:02 , Matt Verri

16 mins: Brighton fans are celebrating tackles like goals.

Igor flies in on Caicedo, huge roars. Swiftly turn to boos as a corner is given.

Palmer with a brilliant ball in after it’s taken short, Jackson can’t quite get up enough to head that in. Big chance.

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

20:00 , Matt Verri

Great link up play by Nicolas Jackson, Mykhailo Mudryk and Cole Palmer.

Noni Madueke did well in transition moments earlier. That’s better from Chelsea.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

20:00 , Matt Verri

14 mins: First real sign of Palmer, as his effort from distance is comfortably saved.

Frantic feel to this match.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

19:58 , Matt Verri

12 mins: Cucurella with another unnecessary foul, more screams from the crowd.

No booking this time, despite the appeals, but it can’t be far away.

He’s forced off now, blood coming from a cut by his eye. Chelsea down to ten for the set-piece.

Nodded back to Enciso, but he can’t bring it down in time to get a shot away.

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

19:57 , Matt Verri

Simon Adingra goes very close to making it 1-0 after a good cross from ex-Chelsea youngster Tariq Lamptey.

Brighton have come out of the traps and have been the better team against the form book.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

19:56 , Matt Verri

10 mins: Plenty of fouls already, atmosphere adding to the feeling of this being a pretty ill-tempered encounter.

Lamptey drives into the box, picks out Adingra at the back post. Sharp effort on the swivel, rolls just wide. Petrovic didn’t move.

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

19:55 , Matt Verri

A really funny episode as Nicolas Jackson refuses to move back from a wide free-kick, using the dark arts.

Big complaints from Brighton players but the referee forced Pascal Gross to move the ball back.

Conor Gallagher then produced a marvellous clearance from under his own bar moments after in a series of dangerous Brighton set-pieces.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

19:54 , Matt Verri

8 mins: Great defending from Gallagher, who then asks Madueke why it was needed.

Corner flicked on, looping to the back post and Gallagher scrambles onto his own line to turn a header over the bear for another corner.

Players falling over everywhere in the box - referee waves play on.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

19:52 , Matt Verri

6 mins: Impressive commitment to the booing from Brighton fans so far. Really loud whenever Cucurella and Caicedo touch it - I suspect the fans do not have a full 90 minutes of this in them.

They do have it in them to turn up the noise as Cucurella drags his man back. Pretty cynical.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

19:50 , Matt Verri

4 mins: Madueke onto his left foot, decent strike and Verbruggen can’t hold it. Dunk punts it behind for a corner.

Swung to the near post by Palmer, not his best and Brighton can clear.

Brighton 0-0 Chelsea

19:49 , Matt Verri

3 mins: Chelsea confident enough so far, playing out from the back under pressure.

Going to be a match where it feels like both sides are one bad pass away from disaster.

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

19:48 , Matt Verri

Marc Cucurella is also getting booed with his every touch.

It's fair to say it probably impacted him when he played here last season but he is in good form and should be ready for it today.

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

19:46 , Matt Verri

Brighton supporters booed Moises Caicedo's name most of all when it was read out.

They didn't treat their returning sons Marc Cucurella or Graham Potter too well here last season either.

KICK-OFF!

19:46 , Matt Verri

We are up and running!

Teams are out!

19:43 , Matt Verri

Here we go.

Players are out for the penultimate time this season.

Brighton looking to seal a top-half finish, Chelsea still eyeing a Europa League place.

Not long now...

19:39 , Matt Verri

Kick-off just over five minutes away.

Simon Adingra has been speaking at the Amex, insisting there is still plenty of motivation for Brighton.

Clubs to vote on scrapping VAR

19:34 , Matt Verri

Premier League clubs will vote on whether to remove VAR from the Premier League next season, after Wolves formally submitted a resolution.

The 20 member clubs will meet in Harrogate on 6 June for their annual general meeting and a vote will be held, with any rule changes requiring at least 14 teams in support of the proposal.

Wolves have been on the end of several controversial refereeing decisions this season and believe the decision review system is "undermining the value of the Premier League brand". They are likely to canvas other clubs in order to gain support between now and next month's meeting.

The Premier League do not believe scrapping VAR is the right way forward.

Wolves said in a statement: "The introduction of VAR in 2019/20 was a decision made in good faith and with the best interests of football and the Premier League at its heart.

"However, it has led to numerous unintended negative consequences that are damaging the relationship between fans and football, and undermining the value of the Premier League brand.“

Boehly: Chelsea have 'exciting' team

19:27 , Matt Verri

A decision has not yet been made on Mauricio Pochettino’s future at Chelsea, but co-owner Todd Boehly has suggested the club needs “stability”.

He said: "The number one thing is you have got to be patient.

“You are putting something together and expecting it come together really quickly, but the reality is anything really good takes a little bit time. Patience was always a thought for us.

“We think this is a really young and exciting team that will be together for a long time. If you look at franchises that dominate for a long time they have real stability in the team, front office and coaching staff.

"You have to have the resolve to not hear all the noise around you and remain committed to the plan. And since Boxing Day, we are the fourth best team in the Premier League. When you look at what is going on now, it feels better and better."

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

19:20 , Matt Verri

All much happier in the Chelsea camp... for now.

De Zerbi 'happy' at Brighton

19:10 , Matt Verri

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber is confident that Roberto De Zerbi is happy at the club, insisting he is relaxed about the manager’s future.

“Privately, Roberto is quiet, calm, reasonable and sensible,” Barber said. “He understands what our limitations are. Behind the scenes, the model is very well known to him.

“He has got two more years to go. My understanding is that he is happy. He likes the club. He likes this group of players a lot. He knows he has a good owner.

“He knows he has good facilities. He knows it is a club that has a particular model and we won’t break it for anyone. Those are consistent. He also knows he can see me or Tony (owner Tony Bloom) at any time. There are no surprises.

“What we can’t control is a club anywhere in the world coming in and making an approach for him.”

Pochettino on Coldplay and 'fake love'

19:02 , Matt Verri

Mauricio Pochettino has turned to Coldplay lyrics to explain why he needs to be positive but not ask for “fake love” from Chelsea supporters.

Just Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool have picked up more points than Chelsea’s 35 since Boxing Day.

However, despite hauling his team back into the race for Europe, the Argentine remains in the dark over his future as manager and is still struggling to win over some sections of the club’s fanbase.

When asked about whether Chelsea’s season can be considered a success or failure, Pochettino said: “We are punished because of the first 10 games of the season.

“It’s now like we are stuck in reverse like the song of Coldplay. We always stop and go back [to negative times]. It’s like we are stuck in reverse. I like Coldplay, the song is ‘Fix You’.”

The Blues boss applauded when a journalist read out stats about Chelsea’s recent run, which sees them lie in seventh - level on points with sixth-placed Newcastle, ahead of a match against Brighton.

He further explained what he expects from fans, who have yet to show him their full support.

“It was difficult at the start at Tottenham. For me, what I don’t like is we are not fake people. I am not going to ask for fake love without an emotional link. It’s easy for me to arrive and start to kiss the badge.”

Nizaar Kinsella at the Amex Stadium

18:56 , Matt Verri

Chelsea make just one change for their trip to Brighton, resting Thiago Silva and starting Malo Gusto in his place. It means Trevoh Chalobah moves to centre-back.

It's the first time Chelsea have made a line up change in three matches as injury problems ease. Interestingly, it means Silva may get his swansong and final start at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Ben Chilwell is also back among the substitutes as Axel Disasi misses out. Some serious options at Mauricio Pochettino's disposal all of a sudden.

Reece James, of course, continues as a substitute.

Chelsea team news

18:50 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Petrovic, Gusto, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella, Caicedo, Gallagher, Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk, Jackson

Subs: Silva, Sterling, Bettinelli, Ugochukwu, Nkunku, Chilwell, James, Colwill, Casadei

Brighton team news

18:47 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Verbruggen, Lamptey, Dunk, Webster, Igor, Gilmour, Gross, Adingra, Pedro, Enciso, Buonanotte

Subs: Steele, Lallana, Atom, Moder, Offiah, Fati, Barco, Welbeck, Baleba

Stand by...

18:41 , Matt Verri

All the team news coming up in the next five minutes or so.

At long, long last, Mauricio Pochettino has a fair few options to choose from this evening.

Blues have arrived!

18:33 , Matt Verri

Chelsea are in the building at the Amex.

Perfect evening - strong end-of-season feel to this one!

Pochettino keen to manage injured stars

18:26 , Matt Verri

Mauricio Pochettino says Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia will be factored into next season’s plans as he hopes the injured duo return for Chelsea.

The Argentine has his smallest injury list since the start of the season, and just four players are out for the remaining two matches against Brighton and Bournemouth.

Lavia has played just once for Chelsea since signing in a £55million deal from Southampton and is on the injury list along with Fofana, who hasn’t played all season. Robert Sanchez and Enzo Fernandez are also unavailable, albeit with shorter-term issues.

Christopher Nkunku and Reece James have missed much of the season, but Pochettino will consider their injuries when conducting post-season transfers.

“Now is going to start a period where players want to leave, maybe some offers arrive or players that we want to add to the squad. Of course, we have already started to work on this,” Pochettino told reporters.

“In the case of Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Reece James. We need to pay attention in the way we need to provide them with a possibility to be fit. Now it is not only a challenge to have them fit now but in the way we manage for a whole season so there are no setbacks again.

“Of course, in football you always need to take some risks but they have the quality to take some risks.”

Pochettino deserves Chelsea backing

18:15 , Matt Verri

The uncertainty around Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea future is beginning to look ridiculous, writes Nizaar Kinsella.

Pochettino remains in the dark over whether he will continue at Stamford Bridge next season, with Chelsea planning an end-of-season review that will ultimately determine his fate.

But he is quietly stringing together an impressive run of results and Chelsea must now keep him on.

Saturday’s spirited 3-2 comeback win at Nottingham Forest means the Blues are still in the hunt for Europa League qualification. Only Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool have won more points than Chelsea since Boxing Day, and only the Gunners have scored more goals in the last 13 matches.

Pochettino is showing what he can do when his players are fit and there are enough green shoots to suggest they are on the right path under him.

Read the full story here!

Stage is set!

18:06 , Matt Verri

Brighton have arrived on a glorious evening on the South coast.

Boehly: Chelsea investing not spending

17:59 , Matt Verri

Todd Boehly believes Chelsea’s transfer spend of more than £1billion is an “investment”, and that the majority of their signings have retained their value.

Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk and Cole Palmer are among the players brought in since Boehly and Clearlake took over at Chelsea from Roman Abramovich in May 2022.

The new consortium have faced criticism for Chelsea’s decline since a sensational first three transfer windows broke a series of records, including the all-time European spend in a single season and the British transfer record.

But with Chelsea now pushing for a place in the Europa League through improved performances under Mauricio Pochettino, Boehly said at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha. "When we are spending, we are investing and those players continue to hold their value.

“So what we are thinking of is what does it cost to finance that portfolio of players. Some will go up and some will go down in value, but I argue the investments made at Chelsea have held their value.

“We are not spending the money, we are investing the money. So when we buy, we are just thinking about the cost of carry."

Chelsea face transfer decision

17:51 , Matt Verri

Strasbourg want to keep Chelsea youngster Andrey Santos on loan next season.

The 20-year-old midfielder is one of the first success stories of Chelsea’s multi-club model under the BlueCo umbrella, the company operated by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.

Santos was sent on loan within the multi-club vehicle in January and has excelled. He recently scored a crucial last-minute winner in a 2-1 Ligue 1 derby win against Metz, his first goal in European football.

The one-time Brazil international is highly regarded in west London but played just twice in a disappointing loan spell at Nottingham Forest in the first half of the season.

But he has since overcome that setback to start in France in manager Patrick Vieira’s midfield and has built impressive partnerships with Ibrahima Sissoko and Habib Diarra.

Standard Sport prediction

17:43 , Matt Verri

Chelsea struggled for large periods against Nottingham Forest but Pochettino’s work is clearly bearing fruit as players return from injury. Brighton, meanwhile, are winding down for the season and, though not entirely on the beach, they have bucket and spade in hand.

The Blues have enough momentum behind them to make it four wins in a row.

Chelsea to win, 2-1.

Chelsea team news

17:36 , Matt Verri

Chelsea, meanwhile, were boosted by the return of Reece James from the bench after five months against Forest, to impressive ends. The captain will likely not start tonight due to his record of setbacks, with Pochettino not expected to make many changes.

Christopher Nkunku continues to build back his fitness after a number of injuries, but Nicolas Jackson scored against at the City Ground so should keep his place. Raheem Sterling will be pushing for a start after his goal.

Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka are both back in training and closing in on a return.

Brighton team news

17:29 , Matt Verri

Brighton are set to have Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck fit, in boost to their attack options.

It is still a lengthy injury list though, with Joel Veltman and Jan Paul van Hecke joining the likes of Pervis Estupinan, Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson in missing out.

Why is Brighton vs Chelsea not on TV?

17:23 , Matt Verri

Fans in the UK will be unable to watch tonight’s game live.

Chelsea’s trip to the south coast was originally scheduled for Saturday 20 May and during the 3pm blackout imposed across English football at the time.

It was, however, postponed due to Chelsea’s involvement in the FA Cup semi-finals that weekend and cannot be shown live tonight having not been selected for broadcasters’ limited allocation of games.

You can follow all the action right here with us indeed!

Good evening!

17:16 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Brighton vs Chelsea!

We’re into the final few days of the Premier League campaign, and Chelsea know they need to keep winning if they are to snatch European football next season.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 7:45pm BST from the Amex Stadium.