NEW DELHI: Chelsea clinched a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday, courtesy of goals from Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku, propelling them into the final day of the Premier League season in sixth place.
The win keeps Chelsea's hopes of qualifying for the Europa League alive, marking a remarkable turnaround after a challenging start to their campaign.
Palmer opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 34th minute, nodding in Marc Cucurella's cross to claim his 22nd league goal of the season, showcasing his prowess in his debut campaign. Nkunku extended Chelsea's lead in the 64th minute, calmly finishing Malo Gusto's pass to put the visitors in a commanding position.
Despite substitute Reece James receiving a red card for a reckless challenge in the 88th minute, Chelsea held firm against Brighton's late surge, with Danny Welbeck scoring a consolation goal in stoppage time.
Cucurella, facing his former club, endured a hostile reception from the home fans and was at the center of a VAR controversy in the 15th minute when his penalty appeal was overturned after a review.
The victory sets the stage for a crucial final match against Bournemouth on Sunday, where Chelsea will look to secure their place in European competition next season.
Under the guidance of manager Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea has shown resilience and determination in the latter stages of the season, with only one defeat in their last 14 league outings.
Brighton, currently in 10th place, will conclude their season with a home fixture against Manchester United, aiming to end their campaign on a positive note.
(With inputs from Reuters)
