Chelsea

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter, at Stamford Bridge

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Chelsea will feel that, despite coming out on top in a chaotic first half, they are starting to lay down a real marker for what they can achieve this season.

Before kick-off, Enzo Maresca said it was time for his squad, the Premier League's youngest, to show they are 'men'.

Well, unlike on many occasions last season, they reacted well to going 1-0 down and through Cole Palmer's stunning four first half goals, found themselves 4-2 up after a chaotic 45 minutes.

Brighton managed to unsettle Chelsea's backline and goalkeeper with their extremely high defensive line and intense pressing, but ultimately, Maresca's approach and players were superior.

Beating this Brighton side is no mean feat, as they were unbeaten ahead of kick-off, and had only conceded four goals.

Some may credit Maresca for transforming what looked like a chaotic club from the outside amid another busy summer of transfers both in and out, but this is also a club maturing two years into the new ownership.

While Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali's Clearlake Capital are trying to buy each other out, a new medical department has been put in place and has settled, with high level directors now settled into roles across the football department after a post-Roman Abramovich cull.

Mauricio Pochettino also did some good work building a culture and getting some of the younger players ready to compete this season.

Cole Palmer, who excelled last season, has continued his form, adding six goals and four assists in his first six league matches.

But there is also real progress in the development of Noni Madueke, Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo, Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto and others.

And, of course, after over £1.5billion spent in the last three transfer windows, Chelsea have probably the deepest squad of talent in world football.

Chelsea now trail by just one point behind league leaders Manchester City, posing the question: just how significant a threat does this team pose to the elite clubs?

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Cole Palmer became the first player in Premier League history to score four goals before half-time in a single match, while he’s the second Chelsea player to score four goals in two different Premier League games, after Frank Lampard in 2008 (against Derby) and 2010 (against Aston Villa).

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Chelsea's Cole Palmer, has been speaking to Match of the Day after scoring four goals against Brighton: "I should have had five or six!

"When I missed the first chance I was upset but with the way they played and their high line I felt we'd get more chances.

"The manager set up a good game plan, we knew how to attack them with first-time passes in behind.

"Brighton are a good team, pass the ball well. They play similar to us. Three points is what we needed and that is what we got.

"I try and play every game the best I can."

On Theo Walcott comparing him to Dennis Bergkamp: "I know he is a legend in the Premier League but I didn't really watch him, I was too young. I have seen clips, he was a top player so thank you Theo Walcott!"

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been speaking after today's victory: "It was a good game. Probably we struggled in some moments of the game but I think this kind of game the team needed also to learn.

"I prefer to have more possession! But we struggled a little bit at the beginning of the game, we conceded possession because they surprised us a bit tactically, but overall we were quite good.

On Cole Palmer: "I know Cole Palmer from many years ago, I had him at Manchester City in the under-23s. The best thing is the way he is as a human is the same way. This doesn't change his life and that is the best thing for him.

"You'd have to be blind if you didn't see those kind of things with Cole. I said that he scored four but he could have scored more, I say always to be ambitious and hungry to score more."

Tom Rostance
BBC Sport journalist

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There may have been eyebrows raised when Chelsea gave Cole Palmer a nine-year contract this summer. By half-time at Stamford Bridge the only question was is that long enough?

Palmer scored four goals in 20 minutes, hit the post and had an effort ruled out for offside. The fact he was fuming with himself for missing a straightforward chance to join the elite group of players to score five in a Premier League game in the second period speaks volumes.

Palmer is the second Chelsea player to score four goals in two different Premier League games, after Frank Lampard in 2008 (against Derby) and 2010 (against Aston Villa.

Not only is he lethal in front of goal, he twice played Nicolas Jackson in on goal with superb passes that on another day could have brought more goals.

How much would he be worth now?

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Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

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Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week six, he takes on Maximo Park singer Paul Smith, whose latest album, Stream Of Life, is out on Friday.

Chelsea host Brighton at 15:00 on Saturday.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Chelsea deserved the criticism they got when their performances were all over the place, so people need to give them praise now they are playing well.

There is still some turbulence at the top level, in terms of the power struggle that seems to be going on in the boardroom, but you cannot fault what they are doing on the pitch.

I have struggled to predict their results in the past, and for good reason, but hopefully that will start to get easier now they are showing the consistency they had previously been missing.

Having said all that, this is still a very tricky game to call. Brighton have also made a decent start, and they will definitely carry a threat.

So, I had to think hard about this but I am going to for a narrow Chelsea win, with Cole Palmer to do the business for them, and Nicolas Jackson to carry on his good form too.

Smith's prediction: 2-2

In my head it is going to be a score-draw because both teams can score quite easily with the way they attack so fluidly.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says honesty is the key to keeping a large squad harmonious as competition for first team places is so fierce.

Nicolas Jackson has been the preferred starting striker in Maresca's five opening league matches this season, but Christopher Nkunku scored his first hat-trick for the club against Barrow in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

"I will be honest," said the Italian in response to how he communicates selections. "I be honest with (Nkunku) and I'm honest with all of them.

"I've said it many times since day one that we can't play with seven or eight attacking players as there is no defensive balance.

"In this moment Nico (Jackson) played last time in the Premier League and scored two goals, Christopher played the other day and scored three. This is good. It's important they compete with each other."

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea boss Enzo Marseca has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Romeo Lavia will be available on Saturday but Maresca will decide if the midfielder can start after their last training session. Captain Reece James remains out.

• On Chelsea's recent performances: "It's a good thing for me to have some doubt - that means that they are doing well. They get the chance, when we give it to them. We need to continue to do it because I think we create the right culture in terms of team, competing and this is important. "

• On whether the Premier League is easier than he thought: "We are two to three weeks where there is no noise around the team. This is important but I think it is not easy. I did expect it, in terms of hard work, but at the same time it is nice and exciting. I am happy."

• On choosing between Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku: "I've told them since day one we can't play with seven attacking players. Jackson played in the Premier League and scored two goals. Nkunku played the other day and scored three. This is good because not one of them can drop. It’s impossible for them to be at the same level for all season. But it’s important that they compete with each other and they are ready when we give them minutes."

• On his squad learning his style of play: "Since day one they have been open minded and trying to understand what we want from them. We are going to continue to learn every day. By learning things, we can improve. It's a work in progress every day. This is the only thing we need to be focused on."

• On Ben Chilwell getting more playing time: "Why not? I have said already many times that Chilly is with us. He's one of the Chelsea players. If we need [him], we will give him chances and minutes."

• On Fabian Hurzeler and Brighton: "He's doing a fantastic job. I also watched some games from last year when he was in Germany and you can see clearly the idea. When you join a club when the previous manger was playing more or less the same idea, that helps a lot. Probably they are continuing with the same style and it is something that will help a lot."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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There has been a lot of conversation this week about "dark arts" in football following the draw between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday.

Realistically, everyone who has watched football for longer than one game has seen things they would perceive as "dark arts"; whether it is a player always going down winning free-kicks to take the sting out of the game, kicking the ball into row Z when there was no multi-ball system or time-wasting on goal-kicks.

These are things we see all the time but our perception of it is dependent on the context of a game. You always see some version of it somewhere, and you hope your team would be doing the same thing if in the same situation - because why should you do something that would benefit the opposition you are against?

It is the same as going down a bit more easily to win penalties - some people will say "this guy is a cheat", but then on the other side of their mouth, if it is something that could benefit them, they say "he has tried too hard to stay up, he needed to go down there".

You can have rulings, Ifab can get involved to change this and that, but there will always be a way to push the rules to their limits.

What we saw with Arsenal in that game, where David Raya sat down to get some treatment while the teams gathered, we have seen those moments before. It is not just new to Arsenal - other teams do it.

It is always based on certain moments. You do get more frustrated if it happens against you, but when you need to do it, you encourage people to do it. That is one of the beauties of football - the way you see things is always going to be down to perception, context and just whether you think it is benefiting you or not.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Phil Cartwright

Chelsea made several approaches to AC Milan in the summer about 29-year-old France goalkeeper Mike Maignan, but were put off by the Serie A side's valuation of 80m euros (£66.8m). (Corriere dello Sport, via Metro), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Chelsea have started the season with 10 points from their first five matches and are fifth in the Premier League table.

With the changes they have made, they have got a very exciting attack. They want to be on the front foot and score goals and we have seen them do that this year.

At times some of the performances have not been perfect - for example against when Bournemouth failed to score a penalty and then Chelsea got a late goal to win it.

It feels like they have got a good feeling among themselves, which is huge for such a young side. I believe they can beat anyone, but I am not sure yet that they can do it over and over.

They do have huge potential and a good start is vitally important because it boosts the belief of the manager, the players and the fans.

It is a fair comment to say things need time, but it is always easier to say it while you are also winning. While you are losing and saying you need time, people start to lose belief, even though they are being told to maintain it.

The fact that Enzo Maresca has been able to show something with this side at the start of the season, while also knowing that better days are ahead, is huge.

Chelsea have potential - they are showing us something which is exciting. They just need to have a few more weeks so that we can say it is also consistent.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Phil Cartwright

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Chelsea won both Premier League meetings with Brighton last season, despite having a player sent off in each game.

It was only the second time a team has won consecutive meetings against the same opponent after going down to 10 men in both games.

Chelsea are targeting RB Leipzig's France centre-back Castello Lukeba, 21, as they aim to sign the world's best young players. (Teamtalk), external

Bayer Leverkusen’s Nigeria striker Victor Boniface, 23, is on Chelsea's shortlist for a new striker. (Teamtalk), external

The Blues are also keeping tabs on Boniface's team-mate 17-year-old German midfielder Francis Onyeka. (Football Transfers), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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The draw has been made for the Carabao Cup fourth round, with 12 Premier League clubs having made it through and Newcastle set to play their postponed tie against Wimbledon on 1 October.

There are four confirmed all-Premier League fixtures, including Tottenham hosting Manchester City and holders Liverpool travelling to Brighton.

Ties are scheduled to take place the week commencing 28 October.

All the fixtures featuring top-flight sides are shown below:

• Brentford v Sheffield Wednesday

• Southampton v Stoke

• Tottenham v Manchester City

• AFC Wimbledon/Newcastle v Chelsea

• Manchester United v Leicester

• Brighton v Liverpool

• Preston North End v Arsenal

• Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

See the full draw

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Chelsea fans got a bit excited at the weekend with their team cruising past West Ham for an easy 3-0 win in East London. Nicolas Jackson was zooming past West Ham’s defence at will without having to do anything particularly complicated.

Was it his incredible pace or was it West Ham’s defenders simply being quite slow at this level? Probably a bit of both, but Jackson is seriously rapid, among the quickest in the league.

Considering Chelsea’s midfield creativity, with his speed and just average finishing, Jackson could top 20 league goals this season, the accepted bar for a top striker on form. With Cole Palmer capable of doing at least as well after his 22 league goals last season, this would make them a real threat as a top-four team.

Chelsea have lacked consistency since the ownership change - and even the consistency of the ownership appears to be under threat right now. But two trustworthy top scorers would be enough to get them to where they need to be.

Sign up to read more from Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter here

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We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Carabao Cup game between Chelsea and Barrow.

Here are some of your comments:

Elsyne: Chelsea were good but against lowly opposition. Some players deserve to be in the first squad but Mudryk wasn’t even a good player in a second team.

Richard: A good victory for Chelsea. Their goals for column for the season is looking good. Nkunku delivers a hat-trick to put a bit of pressure on Jackson for a starting place in the Premier League. It is pleasing to see Gusto back, and the poorly treated Chilwell. How do you go from England full-back to unwanted so rapidly? Awaiting next opponent now.

Colin: Played well considering the team have not had much game time. Chilwell did well when he came on. Overall performance quite good. Some of the passing still needs work. Playing out from the back is OK sometimes but slow and seems pointless. Overall a good performance.

Hector: Barrow fans were excellent tonight, never stopped. Chelsea have phenomenal strength in depth. Mudryk needs to go on loan to Marseille and spend time with his mentor De Zerbi. Whisper it quietly but there's something great developing at Stamford Bridge.

Ash: People will say in games like these they want to see more youth and academy players, but personally all I want to see is the team win convincingly no matter the opponent. This confidence will now spill over into our league form and players like Palmer and Jackson will work twice as hard knowing the 'second team' is breathing down their necks.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Chelsea made XI changes in the 5-0 win at home to Barrow, but still had an attack featuring Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk and Pedro Neto.

That exceptional front four cost a combined £238m against the League Two minnows worth less than a combined £1m pound.

Incredibly, the only starters included on the bench from the 3-0 win over West Ham were Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill as the other nine players were rested, watching on in their casual clothes from behind the dugout.

No team in English football has depth comparable to Chelsea's, with their team photo last week having 29 players in it - not including £17m signing Deivid Washington and academy duo Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong - who both featured against Barrow.

The 5-0 win was a masterclass of finishing with Nkunku scoring from the Blues' first two chances, before Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman scored an own goal and Pedro Neto struck immediately after half-time.

The second half saw the strange scene of Ben Chilwell getting his first game time under Enzo Maresca in a 45 minute cameo when the game was already won - a far cry from his previous successes lifting the Champions League or earning 19 caps for England.

Carney Chukwuemeka would at least expect to be starting these games after joining from Aston Villa two years ago, but he got just 15 minutes, coming on for Felix who looked frustrated not to be completing the full 90 having only played as a substitute since joining from Atletico Madrid.

Even youngsters Acheampong and George, both 18, may have wanted more minutes having seen Manchester City start a host of academy players against Championship side Watford.

There were, of course, positives with Malo Gusto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall returning after missing recent matches.

But depth can be a gift and a curse for Chelsea as the season unfolds.

It will be hard to keep everyone happy even if Maresca tries to spread the minutes, but there may also be moments where the options are the envy of the rest of the Premier League.