Chelsea ratings: Cole Palmer untouchable but Robert Sanchez endures day to forget against former side

2 months ago 17

FOUR incredible first-half goals from Chelsea starboy Cole Palmer secured a 4-2 victory over Brighton at Stamford Bridge.

Palmer, 22, became the first player to score four in a first half of a single Prem match to end Brighton’s unbeaten run.

a soccer player with the number 27 on his jersey

Palmer drew Chelsea level in the 21st minute moments after having a goal disallowed[/caption]

a soccer player with the number 20 on his back

He then slotted home a penalty five minutes later[/caption]

a soccer player wearing number 19 kicks the ball

Palmer then powered in a stunning free-kick from 25 yards[/caption]

It was a game of goalkeeping howlers, high-lines, THREE offside goals and a Cold Cole Palmer free-kick.

The six-goal thriller leaves Chelsea flying high in the Prem, with Brighton down to eighth after their first defeat of the season.

Brighton opened the scoring after four Chelsea stars – who all left the Seagulls for West London – couldn’t clear their lines. Before Chelsea took control through the former Manchester City man.

Here SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rates every Chelsea player…

Robert Sanchez – 4

Booed by Brighton fans who were not happy to see their former keeper again.

Before bizarrely coming too far out of his box to be beaten by Georginio Rutter who headed home from 12 yards

At fault AGAIN when his shocking blundering pass out from the back directly caused Brighton’s second goal.

The ball was intercepted by Carlos Baleba after Caicedo got caught slacking by not being quick enough to control it. Later produced a big save before half-time.

a group of soccer players with one wearing the number 4

Robert Sanchez was partly to blame for both of Brighton’s first-half goals[/caption]

Malo Gusto – 6

His first start since Chelsea‘s 0-0 with Crystal Palace was hindered just 60 seconds in after asking to change his boots. Conceded some questionable free-kicks in closing stages.

Wesley Fofana – 6

Back at centre-back and and did okay given lack of protection in a wide open game.

Overhit a pass intended for Nkunku in the final five minutes. That would have set the Blues away for a dangerous counter.

Levi Colwill – 6

Awful clearance for Brighton’s opener as his horror attempt to get rid was headed in by Rutter who beats Sanchez to the ball.

Under pressure in the opening 20 minutes, with a half-hearted block almost going in the back of his own net. His partnership with Fofana doesn’t seem to work.

Marc Cucurella – 6

Involved in the Brighton opener as well by being out jumped and pushed aside by Rutter.

But grew into the game in the second half, with some threatening crosses for Jackson. Thought he’d scored against his former employers, but a slight Pedro Neto deflection slowed the ball down to leave Cucurella offside.

a soccer player is being helped on the field by a medical team

Marc Cucurella was involved in Brighton’s opener[/caption]

Moises Caicedo – 5

Started the comedy of errors for Brighton’s goal after playing it to Colwill, who hoofed it in the air for a clearance.

He was then involved in Brighton’s second, failing to react quick enough to Sanchez’s short pass. And gave possession away far too often in the second half. Surprising he lasted longer then Fernandez.

a soccer player with the number 25 on his jersey

Moises Caicedo was at fault for Brighton’s second goal with Sanchez[/caption]

Enzo Fernandez (c) – 6

Weak on the ball in the opening 15 minutes. Delicious ball for Palmer’s chance off the post.

But settled into the game after the England winger’s second after going in the book inside 29 minutes.

Noni Madueke – 7

Moved quickly down that right hand side.

Looked to have assisted Sancho’s first Prem goal for Chelsea and the side’s second of the afternoon before it was rebuked for offside.

Stunning run and chance in the 38th minute, after a good passage of play from the back, by kneeing it down and sitting Webster down before marginally hitting past the post.

a scoreboard for a match between chelsea and brighton

Cole Palmer – 10

Chelsea’s quadruple hero!

The England star hit the post in the 18th minute after a period of Brighton pressure. Before some brilliant runs in behind saw his next strike disallowed for offside a minute later.

But Palmer made no mistake in the 21st minute with a brilliant finish amid an extremely high Brighton line.

The turnaround was completed when he converted a penalty just five minutes later.

Palmer then Curled in a stunning 25-yard free-kick past Bart Verbruggen who could only get a fingernail to the ball.

Before some horror defending and a terrible pass out saw Palmer run through from Jadon Sancho‘s ball to score his fourth of the game. Continued to cause problems in the second half.

a soccer player with the number 20 on his jersey

Palmer’s heroics saw him take the match ball home[/caption] a shot map for cole palmer v brighton showing shots and goals

Jadon Sancho – 8

Was caught tormenting Brighton’s full-backs before and after his 23rd minute tap in was ruled out for offside.

But he won a nailed on penalty for Chelsea just three minutes later after brilliantly storming past Dunk and picked up his third assist of the season for Palmer’s fourth.

Sancho’s link-up play with Palmer will be a threat moving forward.