The visitors needed a boost after a slow start to the season, having picked up just five points from their first five league games. They had been struggling to find their footing, especially after conceding a two-goal lead to Tottenham in their previous match.
However, it was Chelsea who took control of the game early on, looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season against Manchester United. The Blues had a pair of free kicks from Enzo Fernandez and Reece James that tested Bart Verbruggen, and they eventually took the lead.
Moises Caicedo played a clever pass to James, who crossed the ball from the right side, and Enzo Fernandez headed it into the net at the back post. Chelsea had the upper hand in the first half, but they struggled to create clear scoring chances.
The Seagulls had a history of scoring goals in their last 13 league games, but they didn't seem to be on track to repeat that trend in the first 45 minutes. Chelsea had won each of their last eight Premier League games in which they scored first, but a defensive lapse threatened to derail that run.
Andrey Santos made a mistake, allowing Diego Gomez to get through on goal, and only a tackle from Trevoh Chalobah prevented a shot. Chalobah was subsequently sent off after an on-field review deemed it a denial of a goalscoring opportunity.
Chelsea played with 10 men for the second week in a row, and they were no longer the dominant force. The visitors had a few close calls, and a chance to equalize when Danny Welbeck shot wide on the stretch.
Chelsea's resolve was eventually broken in the 77th minute when Welbeck headed in Yankuba Minteh's cross from close range. With time running out, a VAR call went Chelsea's way, but it came to nothing.
The hosts couldn't hold on, and Brighton scored two more goals in the dying moments. Maxim De Cuyper nodded in his first goal for the team, and Welbeck bagged his second, securing a 3-1 victory for the Seagulls.
The result will be a welcome boost for the traveling fans, while Chelsea supporters will be disappointed by a game that turned on a defensive mistake and a red card.
