Cole Palmer shone as Chelsea came from behind to beat Brighton 4-2 on a record day for the Blues striker.
Mail Sport’s Kieran Gill was on hand to take charge of both sets of teams, with one Chelsea player rated 4/10 despite them taking three points.
Georginio Rutter had opened the scoring for Brighton within ten minutes, but Palmer put the Seagulls back in the 21st minute with his first of what would be four goals.
Palmer then put his side ahead from the penalty spot, before completing his hat-trick with a stunning free-kick.
Carlos Baleba took advantage of a Robert Sanchez error to bring Brighton back level, but a fourth from Cole Palmer in the first half was enough to see Chelsea over the line.
Georginio Rutter had given Brighton the lead within ten minutes with a header
Cole Palmer completed his hat-trick with a sumptuous free-kick to give Chelsea a 3-1 lead
Carlos Baleba pulled one back for Brighton, but it turned out to be a consolation
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1)
Robert Sánchez – 4
Two clangers gifted Brighton their first half goals. First, he foolishly left his line to try to bat away. Then he passed out from behind.
Malo Gusto – 6
Never easy when Mitoma is coming at you and the Brighton winger tried to buy a cheap penalty from him, but it is good to see him returning to right-back after overcoming his injury.
Wesley Fofana – 5.5
They managed to keep a clean sheet as Brighton hoped to get a tap-in to double their lead, but this was not a game to boast about anything defensive. There was actually little defense.
Robert Sánchez had a difficult day in goal for Chelsea as he was at fault for both of Brighton’s goals
Levi Colwill – 5.5
Attempted clearance was blocked by Baleba, who played a big role in Brighton’s opener. Fortunately for Chelsea’s defenders, the attackers made sure to outsmart the opposition.
Marc Cucurella – 6.5
Wiped out when he tried to stop Rutter from going home. How he would have liked his goal to have stood after being targeted by the Brighton fans who still haven’t forgiven him for the way he left.
Moises Caicedo – 7
No one in the Premier League had won more tackles than Caicedo going into the weekend and although this became a scrappy game in the middle, he continued that trend.
Enzo Fernandez – 7.5
Played nice passes at the back into space for Palmer and Co to run into. That included the one that led to the penalty, allowing Chelsea to take the lead.
Noni Madueke – 7.5
Forever a threat down the right, and a shame he didn’t get on the scoresheet himself due to the bursts he made at the back, sometimes unselfishly trying to set up others like Sancho.
There aren’t many superlatives left to describe Cole Palmer’s performance when he shone against Brighton
Jadon Sancho has enjoyed another impressive performance since his move to Chelsea
Cole Palmer – 9.5
Simply extraordinary. The first ever Premier League player to score four goals before half-time, the best of his quadruple being the free-kick from almost 30 yards that sailed into the top right corner.
Jadon Sancho – 8
After 22 minutes a goal was disallowed for offside, but he was a constant source of creativity on the left and won the penalty after Baleba clumsily brought him down.
Nicholas Jackson – 6.5
Jackson set up Palmer for his first goal after hoping to score the one-on-one. In fact, he should have scored for himself in the second half after numerous chances.
SUBS
Pedro Neto (for Madueke, 63) – 6
Renato Veiga (for Cucurella, 70) – 6
Mykhailo Mudryk (for Sancho, 71) – 6
Christopher Nkunku (for Jackson 79) – N/A
Romeo Lavia (for Fernandez, 79) – N/A
Enzo Maresca will be very grateful to have Cole Palmer in his ranks after the striker’s performance today
MANAGER
Enzo Maresca – 6.5
Chelsea got there eventually. Luckily they have Palmer.
BRIGHTON (4-3-3)
Bart Verbruggen – 4
What more can you say when a player scores four goals against you before half-time for the first time in Premier League history? Verburggen was tormented by Palmer.
Ferdi Kadioglu – 4.5
He tried to get himself forward down the flank, but when he did he was often followed by Sancho as Chelsea’s wingers refused to leave Brighton’s full backs alone.
Adam Webster – 4
Gave Chelsea a way back into the match with a weak back pass that made it 1-1. He at least prevented it from being 5-2 with a sensational goal-line clearance to deny Jackson.
Lewis Dunk – 4.5
Brighton’s high line was there for the taking, while Chelsea were constantly playing passes-in-behinds. Dunk must be tired of seeing the back of Jackson’s shirt after chasing him so many times.
It was a difficult day for all the Brighton defenders as they were tormented by the attacking threat of Cole Palmer
Pervis Estupinan – 4.5
Fortunately, he was able to avoid a red card when he brought down Madueke to avoid going one-on-one with Verbruggen. Palmer punished Brighton anyway by scoring that free kick.
Mats Wieffer – 4.5
Not the only one to be disappointing both in and out of possession as a manic game passed him by until he was substituted after 57 minutes of madness from both teams.
Carlos Baleba – 6
Got an assist for Brighton’s opening goal after blocking Colwill’s clearance, and scored their second after Sánchez made a mess trying to play out from the back.
Jack Hinshelwood – 5
Had a chance to score a goal at 3-1, but shot wide when he tried to get the ball into the far corner with his side foot. Its versatility meant it was used in more than one position.
Georginio Rutter – 6
He jumped higher than anyone else and headed home for the 1-0. He could hardly believe his luck when Sánchez had left his goal line to try to claim the falling ball.
Danny Welbeck – 5
Made himself difficult at times in the Brighton attack, when one cross almost led to Colwill’s own goal, but that was prevented by Sánchez and cleared by Fofana.
Kaoru Mitoma – 5
Constantly riding on Gusto, including in the run-up to the Brighton opener. Went down hoping to win a penalty against Gusto but the referee wasn’t having it.
Fabian Hurzeler found his side’s high line exploited by a thrilling Chelsea attack as he suffered his first defeat as Brighton manager
SUBS
Igor Julio (for Webster, 57) – 5.5
Yasin Ayari (for Wieffer, 57) – 5.5
Julio Enciso (for Rutter, 71) – 6
Yankuba Minteh (for Kadioglu, 71) – 6
Evan Ferguson (for Welbeck, 81) – N/A
MANAGER
Fabian Hurzeler – 5
His first defeat as Brighton manager. His high defensive line was fully exploited here.
REFEREE
Peter Bankes – 6
Awarded Chelsea a penalty but didn’t do the same for Brighton. Although the visiting support was furious about that, they were both right in my book.