Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion LIVE: Premier League latest score, goals and updates from fixture

A sensational four-goal display from Palmer - who truly could have had more - powers Chelsea past Brighton 4-2 at Stamford Bridge. Despite starting the match the better of the two sides and taking a lead within seven minutes, Hurzeler’s side were then taken apart by an incredible solo performance by Palmer, who became the first player in Premier League history to find the back of the net four times in the opening half of a game. The pick of the bunch was a free-kick from 30 yards out - his third of the day - giving Verbruggen absolutely no chance by putting it right in the top corner. Sanchez gifted Baleba a goal late in the opening period to leave the Seagulls down by two at the interval, but they were unable to get any closer, with Maresca’s side organised at the back, giving their opponents few opportunities to test Sanchez. Both Palmer and Jackson could have added to the hosts’ tally in the second half, but manful defending from Dunk prevented an even greater margin of victory. Chelsea win with an xG of 3.19 ahead of matches this week against Gent and Nottingham Forest in the Europa Conference League and Premier League respectively, while Brighton fall to their first defeat of the year after an output of just 1.05 xG and host Tottenham in eight days. That concludes our commentary of the Premier League fixture between Chelsea and Brighton - we hope you’ve enjoyed it!

FULL-TIME: CHELSEA 4-2 BRIGHTON

Palmer and Nkunku work a short-corner routine that looks to trouble the Brighton defence, but it’s smartly worked all the way back to Sanchez from the flag, with Chelsea looking to see out the 4-2 victory.

The fourth official indicates five minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.

Veiga manages to push the ball off the foot of Minteh, with Enciso quick to latch upon it - firing a hurried strike from a long way out that sails high over Sanchez’s crossbar.

Dunk has attempted 100 passes in this game; it's the third time this season that a Brightonplayer has attempted 100 or more in a single match in the Premier League and more than any other player in this game (ahead of Baleba - 50 passes).

It looks to be job done for Chelsea, who have less than five minutes to hold on for a third-consecutive Premier League win. Results around the grounds mean that Maresca’s side currently sit in second place - one point behind Manchester City - as things stand, while Liverpool and Aston Villa still have the chance to jump them in the table later this weekend.

Estupinan manages to get into the penalty area near the byline after a Chelsea giveaway in their defensive third, but the left-back has his pocket picked by Gusto, who times his challenge well before winning a throw-in to sap a bit more time off the clock.

Minteh cuts inside from the right and sends a skipping cross into the penalty area for Ferguson, but the striker doesn’t gamble on the delivery, allowing Sanchez to get there first.

Lavia is introduced for just his third Premier League appearance for Chelsea, with the booked Fernandez protected with 11 minutes to go.