BRIGHTON, England (AP) – Christopher Nkunku inflates a blue balloon And he put it between his lips to celebrate his second-half goal in Wednesday’s 2-1 win for Chelsea at Brighton in the Premier League.
The France striker’s 64th-minute strike added to Cole Palmer’s 22nd goal of the campaign in the 34th minute at the Amex Stadium as Chelsea claimed their fourth consecutive win to boost ambitions of qualifying for European competition next season. Did.
Chelsea remained three points behind fifth-placed Tottenham ahead of Sunday’s final round of league games.
Nkunku, who signed from Leipzig last offseason, has spent his first year at Chelsea struggling with injuries and has made just 10 league appearances, scoring three goals. His most recent goal was a close-range finish from Malo Gusto’s cross.
Palmer, another signing last year, has been Chelsea’s shining light and he glanced in a header from Mark Cucurella’s left wing cross, leaving him five goals clear of Erling Haaland’s league-leading tally of 27.
Second-half substitute Reece James was shown a straight red card in the 88th – following a VAR review – after he kicked out Joao Pedro while he was on the field.
Danny Welbeck scored Brighton’s consolation goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
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