Chelsea started confidently, but instead of scoring early, this time we scored early by botching a simple free throw in the 7th minute.

The relatively tame first 20 minutes then turned into absolute madness as Chelsea repeatedly exploited Brighton’s high line. Palmer should have scored but hit the post, then he should have scored even though the offside was ruled out, and then he actually should have scored after Jackson deflected an underhit back pass.

And then the mmmm madness of the next 20 minutes really began. A goal from Sancho was ruled out for offside, then he was awarded a penalty, which Palmer converted. Palmer then completed his 10-minute hat-trick with a superb free kick from 30 meters into the top corner. We then gifted Brighton another goal before Madueke missed a keeper and Palmer scored his fourth goal of the half.

Eight (8!) minutes of first half stoppage time passed without incident before Chelsea created some great chances again at the start of the second half. Adam Webster saved at least two goals for Brighton, including a goal-line clearance from a Jackson shot.

After that the game calmed down a bit, with changes being made on both sides.

Cucurella then had a goal ruled out for another offside call before Brighton started to apply some pressure to make things interesting for the final, particularly as Jackson kept missing his chances.

But we were able to strengthen ourselves defensively and gain a two-goal lead.

Carefree.

• Just one change from last weekend: Malo Gusto comes back for Tosin.
• Chelsea with 36% possession in the first half
• Palmer became the first player in Premier League history to score four goals before half-time
• Palmer’s third (third!) hat-trick for Chelsea
• Welcome back, Roméo Lavia
• Welcome back to the top 4!
• Next up: Gent in our first UEFA Conference League game
• KTBFFH

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