Mauricio Pochettino claimed his second win as the new Chelsea manager after his side came from behind to defeat Brighton 4-3 in a thrilling pre-season friendly on Saturday. 

Danny Welbeck put the Seagulls ahead on the 13 minute mark, rifling the ball into the back of the net on the half-volley after combining in a slick move with Kaoru Mitoma and former Chelsea star Billy Gilmour

Roberto De Zerbi chose to leave Moises Caicedo out of his squad for the match after having told the Blues this week to stay away from his prized midfielder, amid their growing attempts to sign the £100million rated star.

Despite going down a goal down early on, the Blues would recover shortly after with new signing Christopher Nkunku netting his second goal in two games, flicking the ball into the net with a cute touch. 

With the scores level at half-time, both sides would miss several opportunities to take the lead before the south coast side side went down to ten men. 

Christopher Nkunku (pictured) scored to help Chelsea come back from going a goal down to defeat Brighton 4-3 in their pre-season friendly on Saturday night

Christopher Nkunku (pictured) scored to help Chelsea come back from going a goal down to defeat Brighton 4-3 in their pre-season friendly on Saturday night

Christopher Nkunku (pictured) scored to help Chelsea come back from going a goal down to defeat Brighton 4-3 in their pre-season friendly on Saturday night

Mauricio Pochettino (left) would claim his second win as the new Chelsea boss as his side played out a thrilling seven-goal thriller against Roberto De Zerbi's (right) side

Mauricio Pochettino (left) would claim his second win as the new Chelsea boss as his side played out a thrilling seven-goal thriller against Roberto De Zerbi's (right) side

Mauricio Pochettino (left) would claim his second win as the new Chelsea boss as his side played out a thrilling seven-goal thriller against Roberto De Zerbi’s (right) side

Mykhailo Mudryk (pictured) scored a sensational half-volley during the match to give Chelsea a 2-1 lead in the match

Mykhailo Mudryk (pictured) scored a sensational half-volley during the match to give Chelsea a 2-1 lead in the match

Mykhailo Mudryk (pictured) scored a sensational half-volley during the match to give Chelsea a 2-1 lead in the match

In a moment of recklessness, Jan paul van Hecke had stepped in to make a robust challenge Cesare Casadei, just moments after receiving his first booking and was given his marching orders by referee Robert Jones.

The Blues would take advantage of their additional numbers moments after, with Mykhailo Mudryk belting in a simply sensational half-volley past the goalkeeper from outside the penalty area. 

The sell-out crowd inside the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia were certainly treated to a thrilling game of football, with the Ukrainian forward combining in a very slick one-two move with Nicolas Jackson who impressed with the ball at his feet. 

Conor Gallagher added to the scores in the 72nd minute, before new signing Jackson would break free from the Brighton defence to score his first goal in a blue shirt, making it 4-1.

While Chelsea looked in control, De Zerbi’s side had other ideas with Levi Colwill conceding a penalty with Joao Pedro converting from the subsequent spot-kick. 

And just as things seemed to be winding down, Pedro would produce a winding run along the left flank of the goal before finding Deniz Undav in the middle of the penalty area. 

MATCH FACTS

CHELSEA: (4-2-3-1) Arrizabalaga, Gusto (Humphreys 71′), Thiago Silva (Chalobah 46′), Colwill (Hall 81′), Chilwell (Cucurella 46′), Santos (Fernandez 63′), Gallagher, Sterling (Gabriel 63′), Chukwuemeka (Casadei 46′), Maatsen (Mudryk 46′), Nkunku (Jackson 63′).

Subs not used: Bergstrom, Burstow, Gilchrist, Moreira.

Goals: Nkunku 19′, Mudryk 65′, Gallagher 72′, Jackson 77′.

Bookings: Nkunku

Coach: Mauricio Pochettino

BRIGHTON: (4-2-3-1) Steele (Verbruggen 46′), Gross (Weir 66′), Van Hecke, Webster (Alzate 53′), March (Undav 46′), Dahoud (Veltman 46′), Gilmour (Ayari 53′), Welbeck (Joao Pedro 53′) , Mitoma (Enciso 53′), Hinshelwood (Samuels 66′), Lallana (Adingra 46′).

Subs not used: Baker-Boaitey, Ferguson, Peupion.

Goals: Welbeck 13′, Joao Pedro 79′, Undav 89′.

Bookings: March, Van Hecke (second yellow)

Coach: Roberto De Zerbi

Referee: Robert Jones

Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA.

 

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Jan Paul van Hecke (middle-right) would be sent off during the match after being shown two yellow cards

Jan Paul van Hecke (middle-right) would be sent off during the match after being shown two yellow cards

Jan Paul van Hecke (middle-right) would be sent off during the match after being shown two yellow cards

Conor Gallagher (pictured) also impressed for the Blues getting on the score sheet to make it 3-1

Conor Gallagher (pictured) also impressed for the Blues getting on the score sheet to make it 3-1

Conor Gallagher (pictured) also impressed for the Blues getting on the score sheet to make it 3-1

Joao Pedro (right) would lead a late comeback from the Seagulls, scoring from the spot before Deniz Undav followed suit, rifling a shot into the back of the net on the 89th minute

Joao Pedro (right) would lead a late comeback from the Seagulls, scoring from the spot before Deniz Undav followed suit, rifling a shot into the back of the net on the 89th minute

Joao Pedro (right) would lead a late comeback from the Seagulls, scoring from the spot before Deniz Undav followed suit, rifling a shot into the back of the net on the 89th minute

After the match, Pochettino (pictured) said he had plenty of positives to reflect on despite conceding three goals

After the match, Pochettino (pictured) said he had plenty of positives to reflect on despite conceding three goals

After the match, Pochettino (pictured) said he had plenty of positives to reflect on despite conceding three goals 

The German would make no mistake with his shot, firing the ball into the right corner of the goal in the 89th minute to make it 4-3. 

Holding out to Brighton’s late advances, Chelsea would ultimately go on to claim their second win of their pre-season campaign. 

It was Pochettino’s second victory in charge of the club and after the match insisted that while he was unhappy with the amount of goals his side conceded, he has many positives to take away from the game. 

‘We are happy for the fans,’ he said. ‘Never happy when conceding goals, but it’s normal nearly three weeks into pre-season. I am happy and saw many positive things.’

De Zerbi had also claimed in the week that Brighton could offer Caicedo in a swap deal for Colwill, but after the match, Pochettino insisted that the defender was in his plans for the upcoming season. 

‘We don’t need to say anything or make a statement,’ the Argentine manager added. 

‘He is our player, and he is going to continue with us. He is a good player and did better than I expected. I am so happy with him, and he can become one of the greatest centre-backs in England. 

‘He is going to be part of our team.’ 

Brighton will now take on Brentford on Wednesday with Pochettino’s side set to take on Newcastle the day after.  

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