Xabi Alonso off to perfect start as Chelsea survive Brighton thriller

Xabi Alonso has made it two wins from two as Chelsea head coach after his side edged a chaotic seven-goal thriller against Brighton, winning 4-3 at Stamford Bridge. The result came on the same day Chelsea completed a stunning deadline-eve signing, capping an eventful start to his reign.

Chelsea's win wasn't without alarm bells, conceding three goals against a Brighton side that pushed them all the way, but Alonso's men found a way to get over the line regardless. It's an early sign that his Chelsea side can be relied upon for goals at both ends, for better and occasionally for worse.

How Chelsea survived a wild afternoon against Brighton

Games this open rarely make for comfortable viewing from a coaching perspective, and Alonso will have mixed feelings about a performance that produced maximum points but also exposed defensive fragilities his side will need to iron out. Brighton, managed by a side capable of testing anyone in the division on their day, twice pulled goals back to keep the tie alive deep into the second half, with Joao Pedro among those causing problems for a Chelsea backline still finding its feet under a new manager. That Chelsea were able to hold on despite the pressure says as much about their attacking quality as it does about any defensive solidity, with goals at the other end proving just about enough to see the game out.

Xabi Alonso's start to life at Chelsea

Two matches into his tenure, Alonso already has a clear early record to point to, even if the underlying performances suggest there's plenty of work still to do defensively.

• Results so far: Two wins from two Premier League matches since taking charge this summer.
• Goals scored: Chelsea have found the net regularly under Alonso, including four in this win over Brighton alone.
• Deadline business: Oversaw the same-day signing of World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who started immediately.
• Defensive record: Has conceded three goals in a single match already, a clear early area for concern.

Why the Martinez arrival adds extra intrigue to Alonso's project

The timing of Emi Martinez's arrival hours before kick-off gave this result an extra layer of significance, with the World Cup winner conceding three on debut despite the eventual win. It's a reminder that even significant squad upgrades take time to bed in, and Alonso will be hoping the goalkeeping change starts paying defensive dividends sooner rather than later. Still, a coach's first priority in the early weeks of a job is often simply winning matches while the bigger tactical picture takes shape, and on that measure alone, Alonso's start has been close to perfect.

What Xabi Alonso's early Chelsea reign tells us so far

Two wins, plenty of goals, and a marquee signing all inside the opening fortnight paints an eventful picture of life under Chelsea's new head coach. The challenge from here is turning an entertaining, high-scoring start into a more controlled, consistent operation, particularly with a defence still adjusting to new personnel. If Alonso can tighten things up without losing the attacking edge that's defined his first two matches, Chelsea's early promise could turn into a genuine title conversation sooner than many expected.