EPL: Yohanna missing as Chelsea maintain winning record and edge out Brighton in seven-goal thriller

Nigerian teenage winger Zadok Yohanna was missing in action as Chelsea made a perfect start to this season’s Premier League after beating Brighton 4-3 in an entertaining match at Stamford Bridge.

Yohanna, who played for Brighton in the team’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa last weekend, was omitted from the squad for the game against Chelsea.

The hosts had only needed 31 seconds to make the breakthrough in their season-opening victory over Fulham, and although they had to wait a little longer on Sunday, another fast start left Brighton shocked.

Lavia was available to score in the fourth minute after Mats Wieffer headed João Pedro’s header off the line, and just 10 minutes later, Neto capitalized on Morgan Rogers’ left-side cross with a first-time effort with the outside of his right boot.

Also read:England-born Nigerian defender Ogunneye joins Arsenal from Man United

Joao Pedro, who was booed by the visiting fans throughout, wasted a glorious opportunity to make it 3-0 when he shot wide with time and space inside the area, but celebrated in front of his former fans when he received a pass from Jorrel Hato and finished shortly after.

Martinez was beaten moments later by a Malick Yalcouye volley that brought Brighton back into the game.

Yalcouye intervened again when Pedro converted a Pascal Gross cross into his own goal shortly after the hour mark.

Also read:Galatasaray boss praises Osimhen’s performance against Göztepe

But Palmer calmed Chelsea’s nerves with a marauding run and finished in the 74th minute, and there was barely time for the game to restart after Gross’s late header.

The victory gives Xabi Alonso a perfect start to his reign as manager at Stamford Bridge, having won his first game against Fulham 3-2.