Follow live coverage as Chelsea face Brighton & Hove Albion today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Liverpool look to fend off competition from Arsenal, Manchester City and more.
The race for the Champions League places should also be a compelling battle, with a fifth place possible for English teams. Manchester United’s latest rebuild under Ruben Amorim sets expectations high once more after a dismal season last time out.
Meanwhile, it’s Burnley, Leeds United and Sunderland who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Chelsea FC 1 - 3 Brighton & Hove Albion FC
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
17:26Chaos! Brighton leave Stamford Bridge with a victory, after a mesmerising second-half comeback gave the Seagulls an eye-catching 3-1 win over Chelsea! The match completely changed when Chalobah received a red card in the early stages of the second half. The Blues were in the lead, thanks to Fernandez’s 24th-minute header, but Brighton devastatingly exploited their numerical advantage as Welbeck equalised. The visitors netted two more goals, through substitute De Cuyper and another typically calm Welbeck finish. An undoubtedly tricky period for Chelsea has dramatically worsened, as they’re now winless in three Premier League games. Meanwhile, Brighton earn their second victory of the top-flight season. Maresca’s side posted more possession (58.8%), while Hurzeler’s men pipped them on expected goals (xG) with 2.01 to 1.70. This result moves the visitors up to tenth, while Chelsea drop to seventh. Next week, Chelsea will welcome Benfica to West London in the Champions League and host Liverpool in a mouthwatering top-flight clash. The Seagulls face a less daunting task, travelling to Molineux to play Wolves in the Premier League next weekend. We hope you’ve enjoyed this live text commentary! Thank you!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
17:23The referee has indicated that there will be a mammoth 11 minutes of added time!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
17:22CHELSEA SURVIVE AND VAR DECIDE AGAINST A PENALTY! That would have been a misery compiler for the Blues. However, the score remains 1-1 and play resumes.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
17:22Dunk is penalised by the referee for his role in the bust-up with Badiashile.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
17:03FULL-TIME: CHELSEA 1-3 BRIGHTON
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
17:01Welbeck is shown a yellow card for taking off his shirt in the celebration.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
17:01Gruda is so calm and makes the right decision, unleashing a perfectly-weighted ball for Welbeck, who dispatches the opportunity.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
17:01GOALLLL! 3-1! WELBECK AT THE DOUBLE! Brighton are in dreamland! Acheampong is closed down by Minteh, allowing Gruda to pick out Welbeck. The striker clips his one-on-one effort into the roof of the net to seal the victory!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:57CHELSEA FANS SHOUT FOR A PENALTY AS JAMES GOES DOWN BUT THE REFEREE ISN'T INTERESTED! James nutmegs Minteh to advance into the penalty area and goes down after a challenge from De Cuyper! Hooper deems it a fair tackle, and play continues!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:55Chelsea have conceded three goals to opposition substitutes in the Premier League this season, no team has conceded more.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:54Wieffer does tremendously well and directs his header into the perfect area for De Cuyper, who pounces from point-blank range!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:53GOALLLL! 2-1! BRIGHTON COMPLETE THE COMEBACK! Chelsea's nightmarish afternoon is confirmed as substitute De Cuyper nets a header! Wieffer is unmarked at the back-post and heads across goal for his teammate, who scores in a nearly identical position to Welbeck!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:49Sanchez is another player to get a yellow card.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:48Unsurprisingly, Badiashile gets a yellow card for his part in the confrontation.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:48Van Hecke gets booked as we await VAR's verdict.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:48BRIGHTON FANS SCREAM FOR A PENALTY! Gusto clears a cross at the back post and Minteh goes down, claiming a high foot! VAR are checking it. Amid the chaos, a brawl is sparked as Badiashile and Dunk clash.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:48In an attacking change, Hurzeler takes off Rutter for Tzimas.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:46Brighton are searching for a winner and their latest change sees Gomez depart for De Cuyper.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:43Minteh recorded his second assist in the Premier League this season, more than any other Brighton player.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:41Badiashile and Lavia were both long-term absentees. They are making their returns in an extremely tense game as Brighton continue to press forward against Chelsea to find a winner.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:39In the second change, Badiashile is on for Hato.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:39Maresca makes a double substitution. Firstly, Neto is replaced by Lavia.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:39Minteh has been Brighton's best player this afternoon! He manages to find some room around James before delivering an inviting cross for Welbeck, who buries his header!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:39GOALLLLL! 1-1! WELBECK FINDS THE EQUALISER FOR BRIGHTON! Moments after missing that previous opportunity, he makes no mistake this time, heading in Minteh's pinpoint cross! The visitors have the momentum and the numerical advantage!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:37No chances have fallen to Pedro this afternoon. Nevertheless, the former Brighton star has worked tirelessly against the physical pairing of Van Hecke and Dunk.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:33HUGE CHANCE FOR BRIGHTON! EVERYONE THOUGHT IT WAS IN! Brighton are applying the pressure, and Van Hecke's deflected shot falls to Welbeck. The forward's half volley bounces agonisingly wide of the far post! That is the Seagulls' biggest opening of the afternoon, but Welbeck can't take advantage!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:32Brighton are still awaiting that elusive first shot on target in this game. Will it arrive with a goal?
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:29CHELSEA ARE NEARLY THE ARCHITECTS OF THEIR OWN DOWNFALL AGAIN! Acheampong initially does well to bring the ball out of defence, but the 19-year-old loses possession. Brighton try to unleash Minteh, who is nearly through on goal, but James gets his body in the way to stop the attacker from shooting!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:27Hurzeler makes another change as Gruda comes on for Baleba.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:27Mitoma has had a quiet afternoon and is withdrawn for Welbeck.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:25Chelsea captain James is shown a yellow card for dissent. The Blues can't afford to get another player sent off!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:27Brighton attempt to fashion a counter-attack, and Sanchez comes out to claim Minteh's low cross. The stretching goalkeeper crashes into the retreating Neto, and both players are down momentarily. However, both look okay to continue.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:23Mitoma and Kadioglu attempt a one-two. Caicedo then smashes his clearance to James. Sanchez, now at the same end as the away fans, will have to maintain his concentration in these tricky circumstances.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:23Neto showcases his pace and flies forward beyond Wieffer! The substitute brings him down for a free-kick in a dangerous area and gets a yellow card.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:23Estevao, who has looked exciting and energetic, is replaced by Gusto.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:18Hurzeler has sensed an opportunity as Veltman is taken off for Wieffer.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:18THE REFEREE HAS COME OVER TO THE MONITOR! It looks increasingly likely that Chalobah could be sent off here. This would be disastrous for Chelsea!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:18Chelsea have had two players sent off in the Premier League this season, more than any other team in the competition.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:16NIGHTMARE FOR CHELSEA! After a VAR check, Chalobah is dismissed for a professional foul, denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Chelsea are down to ten men in successive Premier League games. How will they react now?
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:15CHELSEA COULD BE IN TROUBLE HERE! Santos is dispossessed by Mitoma near the halfway line, and the ball breaks to Gomez, who clashes with Chalobah on the edge of the penalty area and goes down. The defender is the last man. The Brighton players and fans are screaming for a penalty and a red card. However, the foul occurred outside the box. There is a lengthy VAR check.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:15After all that, Gomez smashes the resulting free-kick way over the bar! Chelsea face a daunting task to hold onto their lead with a numerical disadvantage. Surely this is Brighton's chance to take control of this game!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:13As a reaction to the red card, Santos is withdrawn for Acheampong.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:07James and Mitoma collide as both players hit the deck. The right-back has stayed down and is receiving treatment. Given his worrying injury record, it's always a concern when he goes down.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:04The teams are back out for the second half with Chelsea restarting the game from kick-off.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:00Brighton need to conjure up more attacking imagination and productivity in the second half. Rutter, Gomez, and Mitoma have been anonymous so far. It would be no surprise to see Hurzeler either make a change at the break or early in the second 45. Meanwhile, despite Maresca grappling with a host of questions and fitness concerns, Chelsea have been superb! The Blues have avoided defeat in their last eight matches when scoring first in the Premier League, since a 1-2 loss to Aston Villa on 22nd February 2025.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
16:00It's half-time at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea deservedly beating Brighton 1-0 in this Premier League encounter. The home side have been on top throughout, moving the ball quickly and incisively, while simultaneously stifling Brighton’s attacking threat. In the early stages, James and Fernandez both tried their luck with testing free-kicks. Each time, Brighton goalkeeper Verbruggen produced impressive saves to keep the score goalless. The Seagulls failed to appropriately respond, and Chelsea jumped into the lead in the 24th minute, when Fernandez headed in James’ deflected cross. Hurzeler’s men haven’t managed a shot on target. Chelsea’s superiority is further reflected by their 69.4% possession, as well as their 1.36 expected goals (xG), compared to Brighton’s disappointing 0.11. Maresca will be pleased, while Hurzeler will surely demand more from his players in the second half!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:51HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 1-0 BRIGHTON
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:47There will be two minutes of added time at the end of the first half! Can Chelsea head into the break ahead or will Brighton find an equaliser?
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:45Dunk wins the header from Ayari's free-kick, but can't direct his effort on target. Set pieces could be the move for Brighton, as Chelsea lack height and physicality.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:44Cucurella has channelled his aggression in the wrong way there, clattering into Gomez to get a yellow card.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:44Cucurella wins a throw-in after a fiery duel with Veltman as the Chelsea fans sing his name. The Stamford Bridge faithful love his tenacity and passion. He's been faultless so far today.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:44Brighton are still awaiting their first shot on target in this game. Chelsea have been in the ascendancy, and Hurzeler's men have struggled so far!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:37Fernandez's earlier header means that Brighton have conceded five first-half goals in six games. Only Wolverhampton Wanderers (nine) and Brentford (six) have conceded more in the Premier League this season.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:34In Sanchez, Cucurella, Caicedo, and Pedro, Chelsea have four former Brighton assets in their starting XI. Every time each one touches the ball, their action is met with a chorus of boos from the Brighton fans.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:34The Brighton players are not happy with referee Simon Hooper! The visitors are constructing a promising attack, with Ayari looking to run onto a pass on the edge of the area, but his pathway is blocked by Hooper! The away fans aren't afraid to tell the referee what they think!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:32Chelsea will need to keep an eye on Minteh, who is a constant danger! Cucurella can't control a cross-field pass, but then does brilliantly to block the winger's cross.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:26GOALLLL! 1-0 CHELSEA! FERNANDEZ MAKES THE BREAKTHROUGH! The home side deservedly take the lead! James gets forward, and his searching cross is deflected and connected with by the Argentine, who nods a close-range header into the net.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:25There will be a lot of eyes on Sanchez. The former Brighton man received a calamitous red card after just five minutes in the last Premier League match against Man United, prompting questions over his long-term credentials as Chelsea's first-choice keeper. He is yet to be tested this afternoon.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:25Despite a host of notable defensive injuries, Chelsea are looking for four home clean sheets in a row for the first time since their opening five under Thomas Tuchel between January and March 2021. Minteh gets the ball in a relatively dangerous position on the right wing and delivers a teasing cross, but no one is there at the back post.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:24It is an important day for Hato! With Adarabioyo, Fofana, and Colwill injured, he has been selected ahead of Badiashile and Acheampong to partner Chalobah at centre-back. It is just his second-ever Premier League start following a summer move from Ajax.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:18VAN HECKE MAKES A GOAL-SAVING BLOCK! Fernandez dispossesses Baleba, and the ball falls to Pedro, who unselfishly plays in Estevao, but the winger's goalbound shot is heroically blocked by Van Hecke. The Brighton man celebrates his brilliance!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:17Brighton have only kept one clean sheet in their last 17 Premier League matches, a 2-0 win over Wolves in May. Since the start of 2023-24, the only ever-present sides with fewer clean sheets than the Seagulls (14) are West Ham and Wolves (13 each). Can Brighton begin to amend this unwanted record and claim an unlikely clean sheet this afternoon?
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:14WONDERFUL SKILL AND RUN FROM ESTEVAO! The youngster nutmegs Kadioglu near the halfway line and runs toward the Brighton goal. Despite having options, he decides to shoot, and his effort is well-blocked by Dunk!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:14JAMES FORCES A SAVE FROM A FREE-KICK! Instead of Fernandez, this time it's the Englishman who whips a menacing free-kick at goal! But Verbruggen emphatically responds, diving to his left to make an eye-catching save! Chelsea look threatening so far!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:14Veltman receives the first yellow card of the match for a robust challenge on Neto. Perhaps a bit harsh, as the full-back won the ball, but there was a follow-through.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:13Last season, in the corresponding fixture, Chelsea romped to a remarkable, head-turning 4-2 victory over Brighton at Stamford Bridge, with Palmer netting all four goals. The home side are without their dazzling English playmaker this afternoon. Who will step up and fill this gaping void?
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:08CUCURELLA TRIES HIS LUCK! Neto bursts forward on the left wing, but Veltman defends solidly, forcing a block and a corner. The ball eventually falls to Cucurella, whose venomous, long-range strike flashes wide. A good start from Chelsea!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:05BIG SAVE FROM VERBRUGGEN! Chelsea with the early possession. Fernandez luckily wins a free-kick under pressure from Baleba and Gomez in a promising position. The Argentine takes the resulting set piece, which the goalkeeper parries behind for a corner!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:01Brighton get us underway in West London!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
15:01The players are walking out onto the Stadium Bridge Pitch as Chelsea and Brighton prepare to lock horns in this mouthwatering Premier League clash! We are very close to kick-off!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:56Hurzeler has also decided upon significant rotation, making seven changes to the side that thrashed Barnsley in midweek. Gomez keeps his place after netting four times against the League One side. Verbruggen, Van Hecke, Dunk, Ayari, Minteh, Mitoma, and Rutter all come back to the starting XI in a strong Seagulls team. Brighton won’t be able to call upon Jack Hinselwood, Solly March, or Adam Webster, who are all absent through injury.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:51Chelsea manager Maresca has opted to make seven alterations to the team that narrowly overcame Lincoln. Sanchez returns to the line-up instead of Jorgensen, following the end of his one-game suspension. Other changes also see James, Cucurella, Caicedo, Estevao, Neto, and Pedro all reinstated to the starting XI. Badiashile and Lavia are back in the matchday squad. Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte can’t feature as he is ineligible to face his parent club. Chelsea will be without this talismanic Cole Palmer, as Maresca confirmed that he will be out injured until after the upcoming international break due to aggravating a groin issue. Tosin Adarabioyo (calf) and Wesley Fofana (concussion) were recently added to the Blues’ injury list.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:51BRIGHTON SUBS: Brajan Gruda, Stefanos Tzimas, Danny Welbeck, James Milner, Olivier Boscagli, Jason Steele, Mats Wieffer, Maxim De Cuyper, Diego Coppola.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:46BRIGHTON XI (4-2-3-1): Bart Verbruggen; Ferdi Kadioglu, Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Joel Veltman; Yasin Ayari, Carlos Baleba; Kaoru Mitoma, Diego Gomez, Yankuba Minteh; Georginio Rutter.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:46CHELSEA SUBS: Benoit Badiashile, Jamie Gittens, Filip Jorgensen, Malo Gusto, Tyrique George, Josh Acheampong, Marc Guiu, Romeo Lavia, Alejandro Garnacho.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:41CHELSEA XI (4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez; Marc Cucurella, Jorrel Hato, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James; Moises Caicedo, Andrey Santos; Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Estevao; Joao Pedro.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:41Brighton have started the 2025-26 Premier League season inconsistently, with a record of one win, two draws, and two defeats, leaving the Seagulls in 15th position. This patchy form has been punctuated by two emphatic victories in the EFL Cup, including a 6-0 smashing of third-tier Barnsley in their latest encounter. Last weekend’s top-flight result wasn’t so favourable, as Brighton surrendered a 2-0 lead against Tottenham Hotspur, drawing 2-2. In February 2025, in the previous match between Brighton and Chelsea, Fabian Hurzeler’s men coasted to a 3-0 victory over the Blues. This campaign, Brighton should aim to find that elusive steadiness and return to some form of European football for next season. Can they produce a statement victory in the English capital to overturn their stuttering start?
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:35Chelsea returned to winning ways in their last match with a nervy and unconvincing 2-1 victory over League One outfit Lincoln City in the EFL Cup. However, Enzo Maresca’s side have dropped points in recent Premier League fixtures, drawing with Brentford and losing to Manchester United. These results have left Chelsea sixth in the table and looking for three points to climb back into the Champions League places. The Blues have an eye-catching record in West London, and are unbeaten in their last 12 home Premier League games (W9 D3), keeping seven clean sheets in their previous nine at Stamford Bridge. Nevertheless, given the ownership’s investment and fans' demanding expectations, the pressure is slowly building on Maresca, who will need a reaction this afternoon to get Chelsea back on track in the top flight.
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
14:35Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of this fascinating Premier League clash between Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge!
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion
13:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
