Chelsea continued their perfect start under Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty) Xabi Alonso says his Chelsea side will do ‘whatever it takes to win’ and will look different for their Premier League clash with Arsenal next Sunday. The Blues continued their perfect start to life under the Spaniard with an entertaining 4-3 win over Brighton at Stamford Bridge. The hosts raced into a three-goal lead after just 32 minutes through goals from Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro, but, just like last week’s win against Fulham, allowed their opponents back into the game. Malick Yalcouye’s strike and an own goal from Joao Pedro either side of half-time brought Brighton back within one goal before Cole Palmer’s superb strike saw Chelsea eek out a narrow win. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. Three wins from three marks a great start for Alonso, but his side were far from perfect, having just 26 per cent possession against Brighton and frequently carved open by Fabian Hurzeler’s side. Chelsea will face a huge test of their credentials next weekend at the Emirates against the defending champions Arsenal, but Alonso is confident that his side can evolve and stand up to the test. ‘I want to win and will whatever it takes to win,’ the Spaniard said in his post-match press conference. Chelsea beat Brighton to move third in the Premier League (Picture: AP) ‘Each game can be different so we need to prepare for the best. ‘We need to train for the best and be prepared for whatever scenario we have, so it’s not like this [performance] is going to be replicated against Arsenal. ‘Today it was a big challenge and a big test and next Sunday it’s going to be a big one but we can continue progressing on the good things and correct the other ones that we can do better.’ Alonso also pushed back against the notion that his side were complacent after going ahead, insisting: ‘No, I would say it is quite normal. @flemingben Are Xabi Alonso’s side ready to take on Arsenal? 🤔 #premierleague #chelsea #colepalmer ♬ original sound – Ben Fleming: Sports Journalist ‘It happens in many teams, other teams that they have already worked for and they are together and they have more games together. ‘Normally this idea, how to manage those moments is already more good. We are in this process. So I am sure that this result in the future we can manage it better because in the Premier League, even in half-time we were 3-1 and I said guys, 2-0 lead, with two goals lead in the Premier League, it is not done. ‘We need to still focus on playing, scoring goals, defending well and after we could have scored the fifth one and many things happened in the game.’ Cole Palmer scored the winner for Chelsea (Picture: Reuters) And on his side’s lack of possession against Brighton, he asserted: ‘No, you need to have context to every data for sure. ‘After 30 minutes we have scored [to make it] 3-0, probably in that moment we have played too much with the result instead of keep playing. ‘So the data is not important, it is how you play and what we can do better. But it is never that approach, I don’t say today we need to have 60 per cent or 20 per cent. ‘I never talk about those things, it is about how to prepare, how to be more competitive. But the good thing is that you need to adapt, even during the game there are different moments and some moments that we have done really, really well and other moments that we can do better.’ Chelsea currently sit third in the table, but could be leapfrogged by Arsenal should Mikel Arteta’s side beat Aston Villa on Monday night. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Moises Caicedo’s injury is ‘not a new one’, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso confirmed Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Moises Caicedo came off as a precaution as he was ‘not feeling the best’ during Chelsea’s 4-3 win over Brighton. Cole Palmer’s sublime 74th-minute strike proved decisive as Xabi Alonso’s men continued their 100 per cent start in the Premier League in a seven-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge. However, the concern surrounding Caicedo’s fitness took some of the gloss off an otherwise positive afternoon for the Blues, with the midfielder coming on as a second-half substitute before being replaced in the 82nd minute. The 24-year-old was pictured sitting on the turf for some time while receiving treatment on his left leg from Chelsea’s medical team, before summer signing Valentin Barco was sent on in his place. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. The fleeting cameo from Caicedo was the Ecuadorian’s first appearance of the season in all competitions due to a knock – and there are growing fears he may not be able to start against Arsenal next weekend. Facing the media shortly after the final whistle, Alonso said Caicedo’s fitness would be monitored closely in the days leading up to the side’s trip to the Emirates. ‘He was cautious, to stop, to say he was not feeling the best,’ Alonso told reporters when asked for an update on Caicedo’s condition at his post-match press conference. Chelsea maintained their 100 per cent record in the Premier League (Picture: Getty) Caicedo’s had to be removed in the closing stages at Stamford Bridge (Picture: PA) ‘We will assess during the week. It was not something new.’ Asked if he was able to enjoy the win, the Spaniard replied: ‘Quite a lot. I enjoy all the wins a lot. ‘It was a game that had different moments, there were different feelings. ‘We are happy with the result. We value a win against this very good opponent. We are in a process and we need to keep improving.’ @flemingben Are Xabi Alonso’s side ready to take on Arsenal? 🤔 #premierleague #chelsea #colepalmer ♬ original sound – Ben Fleming: Sports Journalist Palmer scored what proved to be the winning goal in west London (Picture: Reuters) It proved a memorable first outing for Emiliano Martinez following the goalkeeper’s transfer move from Aston Villa only hours earlier.‘With Emi, a World Cup winner, 34 years old, experience all around, I spoke with him yesterday, we talked about the game, about our team, and he felt ready,’ Alonso said of his decision to start the Argentinian. ‘Day by day, we will feel his presence, because he has this charisma, this aura.’ Enzo Fernandez was left out of Chelsea’s matchday squad for the contest, with the midfielder expected to join Manchester City before Tuesday’s transfer deadline. ‘We are preparing for all scenarios,’ the Chelsea manager said when asked for an update on Fernandez’s situation. ‘I can promise you that, whatever happens, from Wednesday, we will have a good enough squad to compete in all the Premier League games.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
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Chelsea fans were heard chanting Xabi Alonso’s name as the Blues defeated Brighton 4-3 at Stamford Bridge in a seven goal thriller, maintaining their perfect start to the 2026/27 campaign. The victory provided another impressive demonstration of the attacking football Alonso is implementing in his first season as Chelsea manager, with the home supporters responding […] The post Sky Sports man reveals what Chelsea fans were heard chanting vs Brighton after ‘devastating’ performance appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Enzo Fernandez has been omitted from Chelsea's matchday squad for the second time in just four days, as speculation over his future at Stamford Bridge intensifies amid Manchester City's interest.
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