Darren Bent names best player ‘by a distance’ after Chelsea beat Brighton
Joao Pedro was Chelsea’s standout player against Brighton, according to Darren Bent (Picture: Sky Sports) Darren Bent picked out Joao Pedro for special praise following Chelsea’s 4-3 win over Brighton, claiming the forward was the best player on the pitch ‘by a distance’. Chelsea had looked to be cruising towards a comfortable victory as Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro all got on the scoresheet inside the opening 32 minutes at Stamford Bridge. But the visitors pulled a goal back through Malick Yalcouye on the hour-mark before Joao Pedro directed the ball into his own net against his former club to further reduce the deficit in the 63rd minute. Xabi Alonso’s men rallied again, though, and a solo piece of brilliance from Cole Palmer restored the hosts’ two-goal advantage with 16 minutes remaining of normal time in west London. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. Pascal Gross’ deflected strike deep into stoppage time ultimately proved a consolation for the travelling Seagulls, with Chelsea holding firm to maintain their 100 per cent record in the Premier League after two games. The result saw the Blues rise to third, behind newly promoted Hull City and top-of-the-table Manchester City on goal difference. Watching back Joao Pedro’s 32nd-minute strike in the Sky Sports studio, ex-England and Tottenham striker Bent said: ‘Really good finish. Joao Pedro shone at Stamford Bridge against his former club (Picture: AP) @flemingben Are Xabi Alonso’s side ready to take on Arsenal? 🤔 #premierleague #chelsea #colepalmer ♬ original sound – Ben Fleming: Sports Journalist ‘Morgan Rogers was at the heart of it, he starts it, then it’s Hato with a really good run. ‘It’s the first touch out of his feet and then back across the goalkeeper. ‘He was the best player on the pitch, Joao Pedro, by a distance. Martinez made his full Chelsea debut in the match (Picture: Getty) Palmer scored what proved to be the winner for the Blues (Picture: EPA) The touch out of his feet, opens up the whole goal, goes back across the goalkeeper… it’s a really, really good finish.’ On Joao Pedro’s goal, Bent continued: ‘Absolutely incredible. It’s Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro involved. ‘It’s the little touches from Joao Pedro and when he drives into this position there’s only going to be one outcome. Joao Pedro has kicked off the new season in incredible form (Picture: Getty) {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Alonso speaks after whirlwind 4-3 win over Brighton","contentUrl":"https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2026\/08\/31\/8888547213964063520\/480x270_MP4_8888547213964063520.mp4","description":"The goals conceded and possession stats don't seem to irk the Chelsea boss as long as they're winning games.","duration":"T6M3S","height":270,"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/08\/31\/07\/110948211-0-image-a-9_1788159003578.jpg","uploadDate":"2026-08-31T07:50:09+0100","width":480} To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page window.addEventListener('metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded', function(data) { if (typeof(data.detail) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === 'undefined') { return; } var player = data.detail.carousel.el_; var container = player.closest('.metro-video-player'); var placeholder = container.querySelector('.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder'); if (placeholder) { container.removeChild(placeholder); container.classList.add('metro-video-player--related-videos-loaded'); } }); ‘He could lay it to the left but he doesn’t. The power and the accuracy he gets on it. ‘It’s a great run, the turn of pace, that little drive into space… he opens up his body and it’s fantastic finish. ‘[Bart] Verbruggen was absolutely nowhere near it. Fantastic finish.’ I
