Nicolas Jackson fired Chelsea into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup as they beat Brighton 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.
The victory helped ease some of the early pressure on Mauricio Pochettino after a difficult start in the Premier League, with their passage to the last 16 of the competition sealed early in the second half.
It was also a vital goal for Jackson, just his second since arriving at Chelsea in the summer.
Brighton will have been frustrated to lose, particularly after missing two glorious chances in the first half. But with the Europa League to contend with this season alongside their brilliant start in the league, an early exit may have been a blessing in disguise for Roberto De Zerbi and his side.
Chelsea ease Poch pressure as they progress
Robert Sanchez swapped Brighton for Chelsea in the summer, but you would have been forgiven for thinking he was still working for the former in the first half.
On two occasions his misplaced passing presented glorious opportunities for Brighton. At first he gave the ball straight to Joao Pedro, only for the striker to dink onto the bar from the edge of the box.
Then he gave Moises Caicedo – another former Seagull – the ball in a hapless position, with the midfielder dispossessed only to be spared by the fact that Ansu Fati wasn’t then clinical enough.
Brighton would pay for those missed chances early in the second half as Chelsea took the lead. A fine team move culminated in the impressive Cole Palmer feeding a pass into Jackson – who finished coolly into the bottom corner from just inside the box.
Palmer shines on first Chelsea start
Palmer had to make do with three appearances off the bench in the Premier League since arriving at Chelsea, but it will be tough for Mauricio Pochettino to overlook him again for a place in his starting XI when they head to Fulham on Monday night.
The former Manchester City man was at the heart of everything Chelsea did well in an attacking sense, and teed up the first goal they have scored since his arrivival at the club.
The 21-year-old is silky with his feet, incisive with his passing, and also possesses presence and power in his game. Wednesday night could have been the start of a fruitful Chelsea career.
What’s next?
Both sides are back in Premier League action next. Brighton head to Aston Villa for a 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday. Chelsea visit local rivals Fulham on Monday Night Football – live on Sky Sports Premier League from 6.30pm, with kick-off at 8pm.