Chelsea player ratings vs. Brighton: Halftime grades as Alonso's Blues run riot

STAMFORD BRIDGE, LONDON — Chelsea surged into a commanding early lead against Brighton and Hove Albion and led Sunday's Premier League game 3-1 at halftime.

Brighton hammered Aston Villa 4-0 last weekend but were caught cold at Stamford Bridge as Bart Verbruggen erred in the fourth minute and Romeo Lavia found a nice, improvised finish.

Pedro Neto tore forward from right wing-back to make it 2-0 and former Brighton striker Joao Pedro revelled in piling further misery upon his former employers.

Malick Yalcouye crashed home a close-range volley off the post to reduce the arrears but it was a long way back for Albion.

MORE: Tottenham's defeat to Newcastle as it happened

Chelsea vs. Brighton score

Location: Stamford Bridge, London
Referee: Michael Oliver

Chelsea starting lineup:

3-4-2-1 right to left: 26. Martinez (GK) — 3. Fofana, 5. Lacroix 6. Colwill — 7. Neto 27. Gusto, 45. Lavia, 21. Hato — 10. Palmer, 17. Rogers — 9. Joao Pedro

Brighton starting lineup:

4-2-3-1, right to left: 1. Verbruggen (GK) — 27. Wieffer, 44. Vuskovic, 5. Dunk, 24. Kadioglu — 13. Gross, 21. Boscagli — 25. Gomez, 29. 35. Yalcouye, De Cuyper — 19. Kostoulas

Chelsea player ratings vs. Brighton

All ratings are on a 10-point scale.

Starters

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez — 6

What a difference a week makes for Chelsea's latest new signing. Last weekend, Brighton were running Aston Villa ragged and ramming goals past Martinez. Opposite number Bart Verbruggen suffered that fate here, while Martinez saved tidily from Diego Gomez and was unfortunate on the Brighton goal.

Right center-back: Wesley Fofana —7

Not all players will adapt seamlessly to Alonso's preferred formation, but it looks to work well for Fofana. The former Leicester man has frequently looked exposed in the middle of a back four at Stamford Bridge but defended everything in his channel on the right of Chelsea's back three with authority.

Middle center-back: Maxence Lacroix — 6

Appears instantly at home at Stamford Bridge. Relishes the basic business of defending but will not have enjoyed being out-muscled by Charalampos Kostoulas for the Brighton goal. Also lost Dario Gomez for a later headed chance.

Left center-back: Levi Colwill —7

Like Fofana, a player who seems perfectly suited to his role. Neat, tidy and unflustered.

Right wing-back: Pedro Neto: 9

Linked with a move away for large portions of this summer, Neto might just end up being integral. He was happy to tuck into a back five out of possession and attacked with menace, linking well with Rogers and tearing into the box to convert Chelsea's second. He should have had an assist when Joao Pedro missed a sitter.

Central midfielder: Malo Gusto — 7

An eyebrow-raising selection in central midfield, with Moises Caicedo unfit to start and the Enzo Fernandez saga rumbling on. But the all-action full-back did not look out of place

Central midfielder: Romeo Lavia — 8

Responsible for another fast Chelsea start in the fledgling Alonso era. A very useful time to score his first Chelsea goal. Lavia is obviously a class act. Now, if only he can stay fit.

Left wing-back: Jarrel Hato:— 8

Burst forward brilliantly from inside his own half to create Joao Pedro's goal.

Attacking midfield: Cole Palmer — 6

Not especially effective, but the fact Chelsea could run up such an entertaining, goal-laden half without Palmer being at the absolute heart of things is encouraging in itself.

Attacking midfield: Morgan Rogers — 8

Brilliant. Linked wonderfully with Neto early on and dropped deep to release Hato for the third goal with a measured pass. A thoroughbred of a footballer.

Striker: Joao Pedro — 8

Revelled in the barracking he received from his old club's supporters, most notably when he coolly scored the third goal. A wonderful player to watch and clearly brimming with confidence. Only marked down slightly for his horror miss and one hilariously misjudged backheel into midfield.

Chelsea coach vs. Brighton

Xabi Alonso: 9

It's always intriguing to see how a back three will match up against a back four and which side makes the most of the space on offer. Chelsea comprehensively won this battle before halftime, with Alonso constantly cajoling his players whenever Brighton had the ball. His big calls, notably the wing-back selections and Gusto in midfield, came off, and he has a front three to fear.