Chelsea started off the new Premier League season with a fine 3-1 win at Brighton and Hove Albion, with Timo Werner playing a key role in the first goal.
New signee Timo Werner won a penalty on his Chelsea debut as second-half goals from Reece James and Kurt Zouma ensured they began the Premier League season with a 3-1 win at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Werner and Kai Havertz, the marquee signings of a free-spending transfer window for Chelsea, were each named in a front three for the visit to the Amex Stadium.
Lucas Trossard briefly restored parity but a spectacular strike from James and a fortuitous one by Zouma sealed maximum points for Frank Lampard’s men.
Neither goalkeeper was troubled in the first 20 minutes before Brighton gifted Chelsea the opening goal with some careless play in their own half.
Steven Alzate conceded possession and Jorginho pounced with a well-weighted throughball to Werner, who was felled by the outstretched knee of the onrushing Ryan.
Craig Pawson showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Jorginho tucked away the penalty with his trademark hop on the run up as he sent Ryan the wrong way.
Alzate went closest to producing a response when his drive drew a diving stop from Kepa Arrizabalaga before Ryan had to be alert to prevent Werner beating him at his near post.
Nine minutes after the second-half restart, Brighton were level with a goal that will raise more questions about Kepa’s place in the team.
The Chelsea goalkeeper allowed Trossard’s effort from outside the box to sneak under his hand and into the bottom-left corner, but parity lasted just 99 seconds.
That's @ReeceJames_24's first @PremierLeague goal! ⚽️
Talk about doing it in style! 🚀#BHACHE https://t.co/R7asfQ5imV pic.twitter.com/z4kdzPrZr3
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 14, 2020
Ryan was left with no chance as James fired a ferocious long-range effort into the top-right corner, and he was similarly helpless 10 minutes later when Zouma’s tame effort deflected in off Adam Webster.
Those goals were separated by Lewis Dunk spurning a great chance to equalise, however, there was little threat from Brighton after Chelsea’s third.
Although Brighton had more possession and more shots on goal than the away side, Chelsea’s win may have come with a degree of fortune.
It was not the kind of dominant display some may have expected given their recent spending, with Chelsea grateful for a penalty and a large deflection in a win that means they are still unbeaten in league competition against Brighton and join Manchester United and Arsenal in becoming the third team to amass 2,000 Premier League points.
READ ALSO: Flood Renders Over 1,000 Persons Homeless In Anambra Community
Leave a Reply