Chelsea vs Brighton LIVE! Premier League result, match stream and latest updates today

Chelsea vs Brighton LIVE!

Chelsea are celebrating a dramatic win over Brighton that takes them into the top half of the Premier League table. Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill both netted close-range headers from set-pieces to set the Blues on course for victory at Stamford Bridge, before things turned notably sour just before half-time as Facundo Buonanotte curled home to halve their deficit and stand-in captain Conor Gallagher was then quickly sent off for a second bookable offence.

Brighton could not drive home their numerical advantage after the break, however, with Fernandez notching his second goal of the afternoon from the penalty spot after a foul by James Milner on Mykhailo Mudryk. Joao Pedro headed in at the start of second-half stoppage time to spark a wild finish, with a last-gasp Brighton penalty award for handball against Colwill rightly overturned.

Chelsea now rise to 10th after responding well from the debacle at Newcastle, with a high-profile trip to Manchester United to come in midweek. Follow Chelsea vs Brighton reaction live below, with expert analysis from Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea vs Brighton highlights

• Late Brighton penalty award overturned

• GOAL! Joao Pedro flicks in stoppage-time header

• GOAL! Fernandez slots in cool penalty for 10 men

• RED CARD! Gallagher dismissed for two yellows

• GOAL! Buonanotte curls home strike before half-time

• GOAL! Colwill heads in first goal for Chelsea

• GOAL! Fernandez heads home close-range opener

Chelsea 3-2 Brighton

16:12 , George Flood

Both sets of players are surrounding the referee after the full-time whistle.

Pochettino in there trying to calm it all down.

Brighton players presumably furious with that late penalty award being overturned. They shouldn't be.

Chelsea 3-2 Brighton

16:10 , George Flood

Full-time

A crazy game draws to a finish!

10-man Chelsea have held on for a big three points... just.

Chelsea 3-2 Brighton

16:09 , George Flood

105 mins: Joao Pedro into the book very late.

Brighton are finally going to run out of time here.

Chelsea 3-2 Brighton

16:07 , George Flood

103 mins: Huge confusion and delays everywhere here.

Pawson checks the monitor and Brighton fans celebrate as if they've got the penalty.

To be clear, they don't. It should be a Brighton corner, but for some reason we are restarting with a drop ball.

In the rules I know, but still farcical. A weird episode to add to the late drama.

Chelsea 3-2 Brighton

16:05 , George Flood

100 mins: Brighton want a last-gasp penalty for handball after Adingra's cross from the right is smashed into Colwill.

It looked to clearly hit his head, but I think Craig Pawson has given this as a penalty before VAR have a look.

You can clearly see it's hit his head and Pawson is sent over to check the pitchside monitor.

Chelsea 3-2 Brighton

16:03 , George Flood

98 mins: Ferguson tries to flick goal-bound but Sanchez claims.

Pedro's low effort is then held by Sanchez.

Chelsea 3-2 Brighton

16:02 , George Flood

97 mins: Yet another superb intervention from Silva to keep Brighton at bay.

And on the day he becomes the oldest centre-back in Premier League history!

Chelsea 3-2 Brighton

16:01 , George Flood

96 mins: Palmer goes for the spectacular at one end before at the other Adingra drives in a front-post cross that is claimed by Sanchez.

Talk about a pulsating finish! You can't take your eyes off this...

Chelsea 3-2 Brighton

15:59 , George Flood

94 mins: Chelsea are now temporarily down to nine men with blood coming from Broja's nose.

This is incredibly nervy stuff for Pochettino.

GOAL! Chelsea 3-2 Brighton | Joao Pedro 92'

15:56 , George Flood

92 mins: A grandstand finish ahead!

Pedro flicks a header in at the back post after a cross from Milner.

Eight minutes of stoppage time still remain.

Can Chelsea's 10 men hold out?

Chelsea 3-1 Brighton

15:55 , George Flood

90 mins: 10 minutes of added time signalled with Brighton piling on heavy pressure and Sanchez forced into a decent save.

This isn't over just yet...

Chelsea 3-1 Brighton

15:53 , George Flood

88 mins: Great defending from Silva again.

We then have another brief VAR check for a Brighton penalty after Maatsen's challenge on Mitoma.

Nothing given, with Sanchez then confidently plucking a cross out of the air.

Chelsea 3-1 Brighton

15:52 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

Thiago Silva has been outstanding in this second half to help Chelsea lock down this lead.

He has put his body on the line and made a number of well-timed challenges in his own box.

It's impressive from Chelsea in the main, except Moises Caicedo, who is lucky to have remained on the pitch with some of his tackling.

Chelsea 3-1 Brighton

15:49 , George Flood

85 mins: Teenage winger Benicio Baker-Boaitey is on for Brighton. Off goes defender Julio.

Gross lines up a free-kick after Fernandez's foul on Pedro, but his sharp low effort is held by former team-mate Sanchez.

Chelsea 3-1 Brighton

15:47 , George Flood

82 mins: Mitoma manages an effort on target but Sanchez is equal to it.

Time is quickly running out for Brighton.

Chelsea 3-1 Brighton

15:45 , George Flood

81 mins: Mudryk has picked up a knock for Chelsea here and will have to go off.

Armando Broja comes on.

Chelsea 3-1 Brighton

15:45 , George Flood

79 mins: Milner digs out a cross for Adingra from the left.

The Ivorian winger tries to side-foot on goal but ends up volleying straight back out to Milner, who is offside.

De Zerbi vents his understandable frustration down on the touchline.

Chelsea 3-1 Brighton

15:43 , George Flood

75 mins: Brighton have seen a lot of the ball in this second half, but chances have been at a premium. A really poor effort with the man advantage, despite all their injuries.

Caicedo lines up a low shot that veers well wide.

Chelsea 3-1 Brighton

15:38 , George Flood

70 mins: A strike from Gilmour sails well over the crossbar.

Pochettino replaces Jackson with Ian Maatsen with his second change of the day.

Chelsea 3-1 Brighton

15:35 , George Flood

68 mins: Now a quick VAR check for a possible Brighton penalty after Silva's challenge on Mitoma, but that was never going to be given.

GOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Brighton | Enzo Fernandez 65'

15:30 , George Flood

65 mins: It takes an age for the penalty, but Fernandez slots down the middle to restore the two-goal advantage for 10-man Chelsea!

A huge, huge goal in this game.

Now Palmer is on, for Sterling. Milner and Gross were both booked after that penalty award.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

15:28 , George Flood

64 mins: Penalty to Chelsea!

The referee is advised to go and review the challenge on the pitchside monitor and he duly points to the spot.

Cole Palmer was just preparing to come on for Chelsea. As the club's designated penalty-taker now, will he be sent on to dispatch it?

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

15:26 , George Flood

61 mins: Chelsea are in as Mudryk is sent through, but Steele comes out to collect after an intervention from Milner!

Was that a barge from the veteran midfielder?! Chelsea fans baying for a penalty.

VAR having a look...

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

15:25 , George Flood

60 mins: It's raining yellow cards at Stamford Bridge with Gilmour and Fernandez also now in the book.

Caicedo makes another stupid challenge but still doesn't get a second yellow.

Pochettino needs to take him off or Chelsea will be down to nine men very soon.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

15:23 , George Flood

58 mins: Should Caicedo have got a second yellow there?! Play goes on and the referee forgets about it. He's on very thin ice.

Igor has been booked for chopping down Mudryk.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

15:22 , George Flood

56 mins: What a goal that would have been from Lallana, who takes down Adingra's cross from the left before volleying wide all in one motion.

It's actually four Brighton changes - Pedro also coming on along with Mitoma, Gross and Milner.

Off go Buonanotte, Lallana, Baleba and Hinshelwood.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

15:20 , George Flood

55 mins: Important header from Colwill to steer behind after ex-Chelsea starlet Gilmour had floated a pass towards Veltman at the back post.

Good play from Adingra, too. Gross, Mitoma and Milner will all be on for Brighton very soon.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

15:18 , George Flood

53 mins: Brighton are probing with their man advantage but they can't find a way through a resilient Chelsea rearguard.

Chelsea still look the more dangerous team with 10 men.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

15:16 , George Flood

51 mins: Caicedo into the book now for a petulant challenge on former team-mate Ferguson.

Hinshelwood was also cautioned before half-time for Brighton.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

15:14 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea will have to dig out a result here and really need the win to stay in touch of the European places.

It is going to take real fighting spirit to get all three points.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

15:12 , George Flood

48 mins: Jackson is through on goal after brushing aside Van Hecke, but that was a clear foul and play is quickly brought back.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

15:11 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea unchanged at half-time so playing a 4-4-1 with 10 men.

Sterling and Mudryk are going to have to be switched on defensively.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

15:10 , George Flood

Back underway at Stamford Bridge!

No changes from either manager just yet.

Pochettino resisting the urge to try and shore up the midfield after Gallagher's dismissal.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

15:08 , George Flood

A big relief for Enzo Fernandez, who had only previously scored for Chelsea in the Carabao Cup...

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

15:00 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

It was all going so well for Chelsea but now 2-1 at half-time with 10 men, the game is alive for free-scoring Brighton, who will hunt them down.

Chelsea concede a late goal and Gallagher gets sent off. It is never simple for the Blues.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

14:54 , George Flood

Half-time

A frantic end to the first half at Stamford Bridge!Chelsea initially on easy street thanks to early headers from Fernandez and Colwill, before Buonanotte struck and Gallagher was sent off before the interval.

Pochettino will be absolutely fuming. All to play for after the break.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

14:52 , George Flood

49 mins: Chelsea just about survive after dangerous play from Ferguson.

The hosts will be desperate for the half-time whistle here, though they are still having openings themselves.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

14:49 , George Flood

45 mins: Things go from bad to worse for Chelsea before the interval as Conor Gallagher is sent off!

Already on a yellow for that foul on Buonanotte earlier, he makes a rash sliding challenge on Gilmour in front of the referee and receives a second yellow.

Chelsea punished by ill-discipline once again - the second game in a row they have seen their captain sent off.

Brighton fans revelling in the demise of a former Crystal Palace player.

Chelsea 2-1 Brighton

14:48 , George Flood

45 mins: Chelsea look to instantly restore their two-goal advantage but Steele makes a crucial save after Mudryk's cross for Jackson deflects goalwards off Igor!

Sterling also goes close. Five minutes of added time signalled at the end of this first half...

GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Brighton | Facundo Buonanotte 43'

14:45 , George Flood

43 mins: Brighton get one back before the break!

Buonanotte gets the ball from Lallana and cuts inside Colwill before curling a fantastic effort into the far corner.

Game on!

Chelsea 2-0 Brighton

14:42 , George Flood

40 mins: Some anxiety-inducing moments at the back there from Chelsea, but Sanchez eventually gets the ball away.

At the other end, there's a gorgeous flick away from his marker by Mudryk, who races forward before flashing a low shot wide of the near post.

Chelsea 2-0 Brighton

14:40 , George Flood

38 mins: Signs of attacking intent from depleted Brighton, but that's a wild effort from Adingra that was never troubling Sanchez.

Chelsea 2-0 Brighton

14:39 , George Flood

A long way to go, but I think most Chelsea fans would agree with that...

Chelsea 2-0 Brighton

14:37 , George Flood

35 mins: Chelsea content to let Brighton have the ball, trying to pick them off in midfield.

Mitoma is warming up down the touchline for the Seagulls. How long before we see him after the interval?

Chelsea 2-0 Brighton

14:35 , George Flood

33 mins: A few good interventions from Thiago Silva in this first half an hour or so.

Just what he needed after an uncharacteristically bad performance at St James' Park last weekend.

Chelsea 2-0 Brighton

14:33 , George Flood

30 mins: Gallagher, captaining Chelsea today with James suspended, commits to a very poor challenge on Buonanotte and deservedly has his name taken by referee Craig Pawson.

Buonanotte limps over to the sidelines.

Chelsea 2-0 Brighton

14:33 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

Levi Colwill just went on a beautiful dribble through midfield and bulldozed Jan-Paul van Hecke.

A positive start from him with Marc Cucurella out.

Chelsea 2-0 Brighton

14:32 , George Flood

28 mins: Still plenty of tidy football from Brighton, but zero end product so far without the likes of Mitoma and Pedro.

Van Hecke goes down in some pain after being caught on the follow-through by Colwill.

Chelsea 2-0 Brighton

14:29 , George Flood

26 mins: Almost a calamitous error from Sanchez, who lets a back pass roll under his foot but thankfully gets it back under control before it trickles in.

A lack of concentration from the ex-Brighton 'keeper.

GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Brighton | Levi Colwill 21'

14:23 , George Flood

21 mins: Chelsea have two goals in four minutes!

It's a first in blue for former Brighton loanee Colwill, who rises highest to head in after a free-kick to the back post was nodded back across goal by Jackson.

Gilmour thought he had cleared off the line and Brighton protest, but that was in.

Chelsea in dreamland! They almost got another a few moments ago when Jackson got to the byline and tried to tee up Fernandez, only for a vital last-ditch intervention.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Brighton | Enzo Fernandez 17'

14:19 , George Flood

17 mins: Deadlock broken!

Great play from Badiashile to keep the attack alive after a Chelsea free-kick, with his hooked ball headed in by an unmarked Fernandez - probably the smallest man on the pitch.

Not good enough from Hinshelwood or Gilmour.

Fernandez's first Premier League goal!

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

14:18 , George Flood

16 mins: Sustained pressure from Chelsea now as Sterling's cross for Mudryk is just too high with Veltman applying the pressure.

Badiashile then plays a decent pass for Mudryk, who lofts a cross towards Jackson that is turned behind by Igor.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

14:17 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea are pretty content letting Brighton have the ball and trying to pick it off as they approach the box.

It seems to be a deliberate ploy, a fairly tactical affair so far.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

14:16 , George Flood

15 mins: Jackson and Sterling are looking to make things happen for Chelsea, but Brighton are getting enough bodies behind the ball to close the space quickly.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

14:14 , George Flood

12 mins: That's a heavy challenge from Veltman on Mudryk and he's lucky he got the ball there, or he could have been in some trouble.

Not much rhythm or flow to this contest early on.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

14:13 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

Raheem Sterling is the main outlet early on whenever Chelsea do get possession.

Those moments have been few and far between, but Brighton don't look so solid at the back.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

14:12 , George Flood

9 mins: Sterling twists and turns against Hinshelwood again and ends up earning another Chelsea corner.

Solid read from Steele to claim a low ball across the six-yard box from Jackson.

Buonanotte is moving gingerly after a collision with Sterling.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

14:10 , George Flood

8 mins: Chelsea's first attack of note ends in a corner after Sterling nutmegs young Hinshelwood looking for Jackson, but Baleba is there to knock the ball behind.

Brighton easily clear the resulting corner. Heavy boos from the away end for Moises Caicedo.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

14:09 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

Brighton are completely dominating possession in the early stages.

There has also been a strange incident which could have been a penalty shout for the south coast team, but ended up being a Chelsea free-kick.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

14:06 , George Flood

5 mins: All Brighton so far at the Bridge, passing the ball around well with purpose and moving sharply.

Chelsea's back four is made up entirely of central defenders, with Disasi and Colwill at full-back.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

14:05 , George Flood

3 mins: The ever-dangerous Ferguson turns well inside the Chelsea box but is outmuscled by Badiashile before Sanchez comes and cleans out Adingra.

There is a VAR check, but that's not a penalty in either instance.

Solid defending from Badiashile.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

14:03 , George Flood

1 min: Mudryk putting himself about early on with a crunching challenge on Baleba.

Brighton in their black and green away strips this afternoon, with Chelsea in familiar blue.

Chelsea 0-0 Brighton

14:02 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

A big chance for Mudryk to try to nail down a spot playing on the left wing.

It has been very hard to get chances given the form of Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling.

Chelsea vs Brighton

14:01 , George Flood

Underway at Stamford Bridge after a minute's applause in memory of the late Terry Venables.

Will Chelsea rally after their worst performance of the Pochettino era at Newcastle?

Chelsea vs Brighton

13:58 , George Flood

The players are out at a gloomy Stamford Bridge.

Kick-off is imminent. Craig Pawson today's referee.

Pochettino explains Cole Palmer decision

13:53 , George Flood

Here's Pochettino explaining why Palmer is on the Chelsea bench this afternoon...

"He feels something during the week and we don't want to take a risk," he said.

"We have too many games ahead, now we are going into a very busy period and we don't want to take a risk."

Chelsea vs Brighton

13:46 , George Flood

Final preparations at a cold and rainy Stamford Bridge!

Kick-off is less than 15 minutes away now...

Chelsea vs Brighton

13:40 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Nizaar Kinsella is in position to offer more pre-match thoughts from Stamford Bridge as Chelsea look to respond quickly from their worst performance to date under Mauricio Pochettino at Newcastle...

Chelsea draw Preston in FA Cup third round

13:34 , George Flood

The FA Cup third-round draw has just been completed, with Chelsea facing a home tie against Championship side Preston North End in early January.

They've got to be pleased with that, particularly when they see that Arsenal are facing Liverpool.

Five Brighton changes from Nottingham Forest win

13:21 , George Flood

Injury-hit Brighton show five changes from the side that triumphed 3-2 at Nottingham Forest last weekend to end a six-match winless run.

Bart Verbruggen makes way for Jason Steele in goal, while Igor, Carlos Baleba, Jack Hinshelwood and Facundo Buonanotte replace Lewis Dunk, Tariq Lamptey, Pascal Gross and Ansu Fati.

Gross is only on the bench, as are Kaoru Mitoma, Joao Pedro and James Milner.

Chelsea vs Brighton

13:15 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

Mykhailo Mudryk gets a rare start amid rumours of a slight injury to Cole Palmer.

Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia are close but not fit enough to return, even to the bench.

Chelsea have nine players out and Brighton have 11.

No Nkunku or Lavia for Chelsea with Palmer on bench

13:12 , George Flood

So no Christopher Nkunku or Romeo Lavia after all for Chelsea today.

Cole Palmer is also on the bench amid reports of that minor injury, so Mykhailo Mudryk starts.

Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill replace the suspended Reece James and Marc Cucurella, while Moises Caicedo is recalled against his former club as Lesley Ugochukwu drops out completely.

Brighton lineup

13:02 , George Flood

Starting XI: Steele, Veltman, Van Hecke, Igor, Baleba, Hinshelwood, Gilmour, Buonanotte, Lallana, Adingra, Ferguson

Subs: Verbruggen, Milner, Joao Pedro, Gross, Moder, Mitoma, Boaitey, Kavanagh, O'Mahony

Chelsea lineup

13:01 , George Flood

Starting XI: Sanchez, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Badiashile, Colwill, Caicedo, Fernandez, Sterling, Gallagher, Mudryk, Jackson

Subs: Madueke, Broja, Palmer, Petrovic, Maatsen, Deivid Washington, Gilchrist, Bergstrom, Mato

Official lineups on the way

12:51 , George Flood

Just 10 minutes to go now until we get the official team news from Stamford Bridge.

Will Christopher Nkunku finally be involved? We will find out very shortly...

Chelsea vs Brighton

12:43 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

There will be a minute's applause for the late Terry Venables today at Stamford Bridge.

His face emblazons the matchday programme after his passing last week.

He was a legend of London football and lined up for Chelsea for six years in the 1960s.

Youngsters with Chelsea squad today

12:37 , George Flood

Some early Chelsea team news from Standard Sport's Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge...

Chelsea pay tribute to the late Terry Venables

12:36 , George Flood

Today's game is Chelsea's first at home since the sad passing of Terry Venables last weekend, at the age of 80.

The Blues are paying tribute today to 'El Tel', whose face adorns a special edition of their matchday programme which has a series of features remembering the former England boss.

Venables began his playing career at Chelsea in the 1960s and made 237 appearances in total, winning the League Cup before moving to Tottenham in 1966.

Pochettino: Caicedo 'needs time' to find best form at Chelsea

12:21 , George Flood

Just as he was before the two sides met in the Carabao Cup third round back in September, when Nicolas Jackson scored the only goal of the game for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Moises Caicedo has been the subject of plenty of attention in the build-up to this game against his former club.

The Ecuador international has yet to hit his Brighton heights following that high-profile £115m summer transfer, with Mauricio Pochettino sitting down to chat with him this week.

“Before this press conference, he was in my office for 20 minutes,” Pochettino told reporters on Friday.

“It is easy because we speak Spanish. It is a subconscious process and that is a problem - only in time can you adapt.”

He added: “We had no pre-season with him. We talk about footballers; it is physical and mental, and there is the talent.

"If you want to express your talent, you need to be clear in your mind and be good in your legs; otherwise, it is not possible to move.”

Some of Caicedo's struggles have been related to his frequent trips to South America for international duty limiting his time on the training pitch at Cobham.

Pochettino said: “Travelling to South America is tough, two or three weeks with us - 25 or 30 days - and then away for 10 or 12 days.

“Then, he came back with some issues with his knee. That didn’t help. It is not an excuse; it is the reality - we need time.”

Pochettino offers update on Nkunku and Lavia

12:06 , George Flood

Here is what Mauricio Pochettino had to say at his pre-match press conference at Cobham on Friday when asked if either Christopher Nkunku or Romeo Lavia would finally be fit to face Brighton today.

"We need to assess tomorrow and then decide," he said. "They are close, but we need tomorrow to take the decision."

When he was pressed to confirm that the duo hadn't yet been ruled out, the manager added: "Maybe Lavia is the more difficult [one]. But we need to assess Nkunku."

Will Cole Palmer be fit for Chelsea?

11:53 , George Flood

There are some rumours - I must stress, totally unconfirmed at this stage - floating around on the site formerly known as Twitter that Cole Palmer could miss out for Chelsea today with a knock sustained in training.

There was no mention of it on Friday, so let's wait and see if he's involved.

It would be quite a blow for Chelsea to be without the young forward, who has thrived since his £42.5million move from Manchester City on summer deadline day.

Chelsea vs Brighton prediction

11:46 , George Flood

Pochettino will ensure that his Chelsea team rally after their terrible display at Newcastle last time out.

Brighton's long away trip and fitness issues will play into the Blues' hands.

Chelsea to win, 1-0.

Brighton team news

11:43 , George Flood

Brighton, meanwhile, are battling an ongoing selection crisis that is getting worse every week.

Roberto De Zerbi believes that Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati and ex-Chelsea full-back Tariq Lamptey will both be sidelined for a significant period of time with injuries suffered in the dramatic 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Brighton are already without the likes of Pervis Estupinan, Julio Enciso, Danny Welbeck, Adam Webster and Solly March, while captain Lewis Dunk and Mahmoud Dahoud are both suspended.

Kaoru Mitoma and James Milner should be available today, while De Zerbi will make a late call on the fitness of Joao Pedro.

Chelsea team news

11:38 , George Flood

Christopher Nkunku could finally be part of the Chelsea matchday squad for a competitive match for the first time today having trained again this week.

However, the Frenchman will surely be on the bench if he is involved after a long lay-off following knee surgery.

Mauricio Pochettino has also admitted that it's unlikely fellow summer signing Romeo Lavia will be involved just yet.

Elsewhere for Chelsea, Reece James and Marc Cucurella are both suspended, while Malo Gusto, Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah, Carney Chukwuemeka and Wesley Fofana are all still injured.

Where to watch Chelsea vs Brighton

11:34 , George Flood

TV channel and live stream: In the UK, today's game will not be televised live having not been selected for TV coverage before it was moved from its initial Saturday 3pm slot as the result of Brighton's Europa League commitments.

Highlights: Sky Sports' YouTube channel will carry free highlights shortly after full-time and BBC One's Match of the Day 2 is scheduled for broadcast at 10:30pm tonight.

Welcome to Chelsea vs Brighton LIVE coverage

11:28 , George Flood

Good morning and a very warm welcome to Standard Sport's LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs Brighton in the Premier League.

The Blues return home this afternoon desperate to get back to winning ways after their promising recent resurgence under Mauricio Pochettino was emphatically ended by a heavy defeat at Newcastle last weekend in which captain Reece James was sent off.

Chelsea may be quietly confident of doing just that, with Brighton being hammered by a worsening injury crisis at present and having gone six games without a win before beating Nottingham Forest.

However, Roberto De Zerbi's side will have been buoyed by a narrow Europa League victory over AEK Athens on Thursday that booked their spot in the knockout rounds in their first ever campaign on the continent.

Chelsea fans will be eager to see Christopher Nkunku finally involved in some capacity today, though it seems unlikely that fellow summer signing Romeo Lavia will play any part just yet.

Kick-off is at 2pm GMT, so stay tuned for live updates across the afternoon, with all the latest team news plus expert analysis from Standard Sport's Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge.