Joao Pedro of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team’s third goal in front of fans of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on August 30, 2026 in London, England.
He’s got a goal and an assist in each of his first two starts this season.
There was a lot of talk last season about him and Palmer not combining enough: they’ve already combined for three goals in the first two games.
PEDRO NETO (7.4)First start of the season for Neto, and a first start at right wing-back.
He should’ve easily had an assist while also getting on the scoresheet.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: (EDITORS NOTE: Image contains profanity). Joao Pedro of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team’s third goal in front of fans of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on August 30, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) Getty Images
1. JOÃO PEDRO (8.2)
I’m not sure how sustainable it is to keep winning by the odd goal in many (probably not very), but we certainly seem to be quite capable of scoring a lot, especially when João Pedro and Cole Palmer are operating at such a high level and we’ve got a supporting cast who are meshing with them beautifully.
JP may have been extra-motivated with the Brighton fans giving him stick all game long — not to mention Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti watching on as well after snubbing him for the World Cup. He’s got a goal and an assist in each of his first two starts this season.
There was a lot of talk last season about him and Palmer not combining enough: they’ve already combined for three goals in the first two games.
2. COLE PALMER (7.6)
A bit more of a quiet performance from Palmer than the first game, but considering he also played 90 minutes midweek in the League Cup, he can be excused. He still managed to make his mark, settling the game for good with his goal (and our fourth) just as we were heading into the final quarter of an hour.
3. PEDRO NETO (7.4)
First start of the season for Neto, and a first start at right wing-back. The role seemed to suit him quite well in an attacking sense (less so in a defense sense), and he gave Brighton’s left back plenty of problems. He should’ve easily had an assist while also getting on the scoresheet.
vs. BRIGHTON (PL, H, W 4-3)
EXCEPTIONAL (8.5-9.5): —
EXCELLENT (7.5-8.4): João Pedro (8.2), Palmer (7.6)
GOOD (6.5-7.4): Neto (7.4), Rogers (7.1), Martínez (6.9), Lavia (6.9), Hato (6.9), Lacroix (6.7), Acheampong (6.5, sub)
AVERAGE (5.5-6.4): James (6.1, sub), Fofana (6.0), Barco (5.9, sub), Gusto (5.9), Colwill (5.8), Caicedo (5.5, sub)
SUBPAR (4.5-5.4): Chavarría (5.2, sub)
BAD (3.5-4.4): —
TERRIBLE (2.5-3.4): —
OVERALL
