Chelsea boosts European chances with win over Brighton

Cole Palmer headed in a looping header from Marc Cucurella’s cross in the 34th minute to net his 22nd league strike of the season and also help Chelsea on their way to a 2-1 win over Brighton.

Chelsea’s 2-1 victory moves them to 6th position on the table as they continue their hopes of making it into European football next season with just one more game left in the season.

French forward Christopher Nkunku scored from a Malo Gusto cutback in the 64th minute of the game to set the Blues on course for a victory.

However, there was a source of concern as Chelsea will be without Reece James for their final game of the season this weekend and the first three matches of next season after he was shown a straight red card two minutes before the end of regular time.

Brighton then scored a late consolation goal after that through Dany Welbeck. The results mean that Chelsea stands a chance of finishing fifth on the final day of the season if they can secure a victory over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge and Tottenham fails to secure a point at relegated Sheffield United.

Tottenham is in fifth place with 63 points, while Chelsea is in 6th place with 60 points. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is in the running for the Premier League Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season. He stated that the game was hard, but the three points were needed.

“We needed three points, and it was hard towards the end, but for it to be in our hands to get sixth place is a big thing for us. Chelsea is a big club, and everyone wants to finish higher than sixth, but you have to look at where we were at the start of the season, so to get back into Europe would be a step in the right direction.” He said.