Chelsea beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller, but the Guardian says the win exposed continuing problems under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Key facts
- Chelsea beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-3 in the Premier League.
- Xabi Alonso has been appointed as Chelsea's manager following changes at Stamford Bridge.
- Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and João Pedro form part of a rejigged attack.
- Emiliano Martínez has replaced Robert Sánchez as Chelsea's goalkeeper.
- The Guardian says a title challenge depends on less chaotic performances.
Chelsea held off Brighton & Hove Albion to win 4-3 in a seven-goal Premier League contest, but according to the Guardian the result did little to dispel the sense that the team remains chaotic under new manager Xabi Alonso.
The Guardian traces the current shake-up back to Chelsea’s collapse against Brighton last April, describing that defeat as a possible turning point. The humiliation, the outlet reports, accelerated the demise of Liam Rosenior and forced the Stamford Bridge hierarchy into a reckoning.
That reckoning led to the appointment of Xabi Alonso, a shift in the club’s transfer strategy, what the Guardian calls the ‘JP Morgan front three’, and the end of Robert Sánchez’s time as the club’s number one goalkeeper.
Emiliano Martínez has come in as goalkeeper, though the Guardian suggests the argument that he is the final piece in the jigsaw looks premature on this evidence.
The outlet acknowledges there are enjoyable parts to Alonso’s rejigged Chelsea, particularly when Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and João Pedro click in attack. However, it notes that other problems remain.
The early evidence, the Guardian concludes, suggests a title challenge will only be sustained if Chelsea’s performances become less chaotic than the display against Brighton.
Why it matters
Chelsea's win keeps them competitive early in the season, but the manner of the victory raises questions about whether Alonso's rebuild can deliver a sustained title challenge. For fans and observers, the result highlights the gap between the team's attacking promise and its defensive stability.
Frequently asked questions
What was the final score between Chelsea and Brighton?
Chelsea beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-3 in the Premier League match.
Who is Chelsea's new manager?
Xabi Alonso has been appointed as Chelsea's manager following changes at Stamford Bridge, according to the Guardian.
Who is Chelsea's goalkeeper now?
Emiliano Martínez has replaced Robert Sánchez as Chelsea's goalkeeper, the Guardian reports.