Brighton and Hove Albion v Chelsea live – Premier League latest as Nkunku doubles 10-man Blues' lead

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Chelsea climbed to sixth place in the Premier League after holding on for a 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Goals from Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku helped the 10-man Blues leapfrog Newcastle United, and into the European qualification spots with one game remaining.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who saw substitute Reece James dismissed for violent conduct, were given a late scare when Danny Welbeck pulled a goal back in stoppage time, but held out for a crucial three points.

Chelsea thought they had a penalty in the 16th minute when Marc Cucurella went down under Facundo Buonanotte’s challenge, but referee Michael Salisbury overturned his initial decision following a VAR review.

Cucurella was involved again as the visitors broke through on 34 minutes. The former Brighton defender’s low cross was met by Palmer, whose stooping header looped away from the dive of Bert Verbruggen.

Joao Pedro and Pascal Gross went close for the Seagulls before Chelsea doubled their lead in the 64th minute, as substitute Nkunku turned in Malo Gusto’s low centre.

The Blues appeared home and dry, but they were forced to hold on for maximum points a man light, with James shown a straight red card after kicking out at Pedro.

Substitute Welbeck then steered home Pedro’s centre deep into stoppage time to set up a grandstand finish, but the hosts could not quite find the equaliser.

Brighton 1-2 Chelsea

The hosts are pushing for the most dramatic of equalisers.

Chelsea are clinging on for now, and they are nearly there.

Hope for Brighton!

Pedro takes advantage of the space of the left flank as he delivers a low cross to the near post, where Welbeck arrives to steer the ball home.

Brighton push for a way back into the contest and Gross delivers a deep cross to the far post.

Adingra meets it with a controlled volley back across goal, but is unlucky to see the ball cannon back off Petrovic's right post.

There are going to be an additional 10 minutes at the end of this game.

That is still plenty of time for Brighton to potentially fight back.

Pochettino turns straight to the bench and Silva comes on in place of Jackson.

Chelsea are down to 10 men as James receives his marching orders.

The substitute kicked out at Pedro after he was caught by the Brighton forward.

Following a VAR review, the referee elects to send him off and rightly so.

Brighton make their final substitutions with Offiah and Fati coming on in place of Lamptey and Enciso.

Barco, who has impressed since coming on, delivers a marvellous deep cross, but Welbeck and Gross are just unable to apply the finishing touch.

Jackson latches onto a throughball in behind the Brighton defence.

Verbruggen races out to meet the striker, who jumps over the top of the goalkeeper's challenge.

The referee deems it a foul and books Verbruggen, though replays show he is extremely unfortunate.

Barco battles away to win possession for Brighton, before getting fouled by Sterling, who goes into the book.

As things stand, Chelsea are set to take their Premier League points tally for the year to 32, with only Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool winning more since January 1.

The hosts follow suit as Welbeck and Baleba come on in place of Buonanotte and Gilmour.

Pochettino makes a couple of alterations with Gusto and Madueke given breathers and replaced by James and Sterling.

The Blues double their advantage!

Gusto embarks on a surging run down the right flank, before having the presence of mind to cut the ball back for Nkunku, who neatly slides home a first-time finish.

Chelsea counter with Palmer looking for Nkunku at the far post, but Barco recovers ground and makes a vital clearance to deny him an almost certain tap-in.

Brighton should be level!

Lamptey whips in a delicious cross from the right and Gross is completely unmarked in the six-yard box, but can only steer the ball wide of the target.

Jackson latches onto a throughball in behind the Brighton defence.

Nkunku is available for a square ball, but the striker takes too long and his eventual attempted pass is cleared by Webster.

Although, the offside flag is subsequently raised.