Chelsea were two goals down within 20 minutes from kick-off against Newcastle at St. James' Park on Saturday, with Nick Woltemade scoring a brace for the Magpies.
Woltemade scored twice at St. James' Park, opening the scoring in the fourth minute before doubling up 16 minutes later with a fine finish from Anthony Gordon's pinpoint cross. Indeed, the German international became just the fourth player to score twice within the opening 20 minutes of a Premier League game, after Robbie Fowler for Liverpool in November 1994, Paul Scholes for Manchester United in October 1995, and Sergio Agüero for Manchester City in February 2019.
Bart Verbruggen was the hero for Brighton after his stoppage-time penalty save from Igor Thiago earned a dramatic 2-1 home victory over Brentford. The Seagulls had been set to taste defeat in Fabian Hurzeler's 50th match in charge after Thiago's ice-cool first-half spot-kick had the visitors in front. Danny Welbeck's 71st-minute leveller sparked a grandstand finish for Brighton with substitute Jack Hinshelwood able to complete the turnaround with six minutes left.
I like the way Liam is playing this team. I knew how difficult the match would be. This season, I have to manage the pre- and post-international break. I have to control the physical load of my players. The goals conceded? We had a good start to the match. We showed our superiority with and without the ball. The end of the first half was worse, we suffered. The intensity was better in the second half.
"What is clear is that, along with Pedri, Vitinha is the best midfielder in the world," Luis Enrique said. "Nuno Mendes and Hakimi? They are the two best full-backs in the world without a doubt. They are capable of anything."
