Palmer scores 22nd goal of the season, James sees controversial red card in Chelsea win

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.

Chelsea’s impressive finish to the season continues, with a fourth straight win lifting them into the top six following Newcastle’s defeat at Manchester United.

A point at home to Bournemouth on Sunday would be enough to ensure European football returns to Stamford Bridge next season, while snatching fifth place from Spurs – whom they trail by three points but boast a superior goal difference – is also a real possibility.

Although, they were hanging on a little towards the end after James’ red card. The England defender became the fourth substitute to be sent off for the Blues in the Premier League after David Lee, Michael Essien and Juliano Belletti, while no player has been dismissed more often than him in the division this term – despite playing just 422 minutes.

As for 10th-place Brighton, they have now won just one of their last nine matches, and must beat Man United on the final day to secure a top-half finish.

Palmer took his goal tally in a remarkable campaign to 22, with only Didier Drogba (29, 2009-10) and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (23, 2000-01 and 2001-02) scoring more times for Chelsea in a single Premier League season.

Opening the scoring for the ninth time this term – the joint-most by a Blues player in a single campaign along with Gianfranco Zola (1998-99), Drogba (2006-07) and Eden Hazard (2014-15) – he also registered the most shots (six), crosses (six) and passes in the final third (13) for the visitors at the American Express Stadium.

The attacking midfielder has now had a hand in 32 Premier League goals this season; a tally only bettered by Drogba (39) and Frank Lampard (36) during a single campaign for the Blues – both in 2009-10.

Brighton: Verbruggen 7, Lamptey 7, Webster 7, Dunk 6, Igor 6, Gross 7, Gilmour 6, Buonanotte 6, Enciso 6, Adingra 8, Pedro 7. Subs: Barco 8, Baleba 6, Welbeck 7, Fati 5.

Chelsea: Petrovic 7, Gusto 8, Chalobah 7, Badiashile 7, Cucurella 8, Caicedo 7, Gallagher 8, Madueke 7, Palmer 9*, Mudryk 6, Jackson 7. Subs: Nkunku, James N/A, Sterling 6, Silva N/A, Casadei N/A.

10′ – JUST WIDE: Brighton embark on an attack down the right flank and Lamptey sends the ball into the box. Adingra controls and gets his shot away on the turn, but it drifts fractionally wide of Petrovic’s right post.

34′ – GOAL!!! BRIGHTON 0-1 CHELSEA (PALMER): The Blues have the breakthrough at the American Express Stadium, and it’s that man again! Chelsea put a sweeping move together involving Mudryk, Gallagher and Cucurella. The latter’s cross is met by Palmer, who stoops down brilliantly to loop a header beyond the dive of Verbruggen.

45+9′ – GOOD SAVE: Brighton launch one of the final attacks in this first half. Lamptey floats a cross to the far post, where Pedro attacks the ball and Petrovic is forced to push his header over.

57′ – WHAT A CHANCE: 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.

64′ – GOAL!!! BRIGHTON 0-2 CHELSEA (NKUNKU): 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.

88′ – RED CARD: 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.

90+4′ – OFF THE POST: 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.

90+7′ – GOAL!!! BRIGHTON 1-2 CHELSEA (WELBECK): 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.