“We'll concede 10 more goals like the second one” - Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca on what he told Robert Sanchez after error that led to Brighton goal

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has thrown his weight behind goalkeeper Robert Sanchez despite his errors in their 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. The Blues beat the Seagulls at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday, September 28.

The Spanish goalkeeper was at fault for both of Brighton's goals. He came off the line and didn't get the ball as Georginio Rutter scored in the seventh minute. Sanchez then gave away the ball cheaply at the edge of his area, leading to a second goal for the visitors from Carlos Baleba in the 34th minute.

Former Brighton man Sanchez was relegated to second-choice last season, but he has been one of the Blues' best performers this season. Following back-to-back away clean sheets, the 26-year-old was named in goal for the visit of his former side to Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca watched from the sidelines as his goalkeeper gave away the ball to Carlos Baleba, who scored to bring his side to within one of the Blues. The Blues looked to build up play from the back following a goal-kick, and Wesley Fofana gave the ball to Sanchez. The keeper aimed a pass at Moises Caicedo, but Baleba read his intent and intercepted.

The Italian tactician, however, defended his goalkeeper in his post-match press duties, revealing that he had told him not to worry about the error.

"I said to Robert [Sanchez] we will concede 10 more goals like the second one because it is the way we want to play," Maresca said (via Nizar Kinsella).

Enzo Maresca has previously spoken on build-up errors in pre-season following his side's defeat to Manchester City in the USA. He said at the time that he expects such errors to occur occasionally, and does not view it as a problem.

Sanchez had a much quieter second half after conceding twice in the first, with his side's defensive efforts limiting the Seagulls to one shot on target. The Spanish goalkeeper ended the game with four saves, losing his clean sheet run.

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Chelsea show class in win over Brighton

Chelsea showed their quality as they picked up a third successive league win over Brighton & Hove Albion. It was the Cole Palmer show in front of goal for the Blues, who ran out 4-2 winners on the day.

Having not gone behind in the league since their opening day defeat against Manchester City, Chelsea found themselves trailing after just seven minutes. Fabian Hurzeler's undefeated Seagulls went ahead after poor judgement from Robert Sanchez gifted Georginio Rutter his first Brighton goal.

Chelsea took just 10 minutes to return to react in the game, with Palmer hitting the woodwork and then seeing a goal chalked off for offside. The Englishman was not to be denied in the 21st minute as Nicolas Jackson found him free in the box to slot home an equaliser.

Jadon Sancho won a penalty following smart movement, allowing Palmer to score his second after 28 minutes. The 22-year-old then completed his hat-trick three minutes later with a brilliant free-kick from 30 yards out.

Brighton pulled another back through Carlos Baleba in the 34th minute as they pounced on a defensive error. Palmer made history seven minutes later, latching onto a Sancho pass before finishing smartly at the near post to score his fourth of the game.

He became the first man in Premier League history to score four goals in the first half of a game. Chelsea saw out the rest of the game without scoring as they picked up three points for a third straight game, and a fourth time this season.