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Cole Palmer masterclass, Sancho imperious, one very poor - Chelsea player ratings vs Brighton

Cole Palmer celebrates for Chelsea
-Credit: (Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)


Chelsea have come out on top in a manic game at Stamford Bridge, where they have beaten Brighton 4-2.

Enzo Maresca made just one change from the Blues side that beat West Ham United a week ago with Malo Gusto coming back into the team to replace Tosin Adarabioyo. Despite Chelsea being in strong form coming into the game, it was the visitors that took the lead in SW6.

Georginio Rutter headed in after some really suspect defending from Chelsea on seven minutes but then it was all about Palmer. Nicolas Jackson put one on a plate for the attacker for his first of the game and it was moments later where he grabbed his second.

Jadon Sancho did really well to win a penalty after being pulled down by Carlos Baleba and Palmer converted coolly from 12 yards. Palmer then completed a sensational 10-minute hat-trick with an out-of-this-world free-kick.

Baleba immediately replied for Brighton in what was the craziest of first-halves at Stamford Bridge. And it got ramped up even further when Palmer notched his fourth of the game, beating Bart Verbruggen at his near post after being found by Sancho.

Robert Sanchez - Poor for the first Brighton goal. He rushed off his line in a desperate attempt to punch the ball but didn't get anywhere near it, really. If he stayed on his line, there was not much danger of the Seagulls scoring.

So, so bad for the second goal, too. He passed it straight to Baleba, who had the simplest of finishes for the Seagulls. 4.

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Malo Gusto - Back in Premier League action. Did okay. Nothing special but thought he attacked a lot better than he defended. 6.

Wesley Fofana - A couple of good blocks but by no means his best performance in a Chelsea shirt. Sloppy at times, in possession and out of it. 5.

Levi Colwill - Not great for the first Brighton goal. His clearance was blocked and that essentially sets the chance up for Rutter. 5.

Marc Cucurella - Solid. Seems to relish the opportunity to play against Brighton, where he is booed throughout the game from the Seagulls supporters. 6.

Moises Caicedo - Almost had an assist early on when he set Sancho up but the shot was blocked. Caicedo, though, was not great for Brighton's first. He froze and then ended up passing it back to Colwill, who equally did not cover himself in glory.

Caicedo, though, redeemed himself somewhat. Not as good as in recent weeks but good nonetheless. 6.

Enzo Fernandez - Did well. His progressive passing helped Chelsea counter-attack and get in behind Brighton. Unfortunate not to have an assist when Palmer hit the post. 6.

Noni Madueke - Bright but feels like he needed a goal. He really should have had one as well in the first-half when he dragged his effort wide of the post. 6.

Cole Palmer - Hit the post when clean through on goal, and really should have scored. But he redeemed himself moments later. Finished it to draw Chelsea level after being picked out by Jackson.

Then, what proceeded after that was just an absolute madness. Four goals in the first-half, one an exceptional free-kick. That tells you everything. 9.5.

Jadon Sancho - Really good. Everything good from Chelsea seemed to have Sancho involved. By far his best performance since moving to the Bridge. 8.5.

Nicolas Jackson - A good performance for the most part. However, he was too wasteful in front of goal. Did very well for Palmer's first goal, mind. 6.5.

Substitutes

Pedro Neto - On just after the hour-mark. Could not make a real impact. 6.

Renato Veiga - Solid when coming on. 6.

Mykhailo Mudryk - Unable to get into the game too much unfortunately. 6.

Romeo Lavia - Great to see him back. Got 10 minutes or so. N/A.

Christopher Nkunku - Will count himself unlucky not to start. Came on with Lavia. N/A.