Four things we learnt from Chelsea's 4-2 win over Brighton
 (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Cole Palmer scored four goals in the first half to see Chelsea come from behind to beat Brighton at home.

The Blues went behind early on after summer signing Georginio Rutter put the visitors ahead.

Former Seagulls man Robert Sanchez came off his line and was beaten in the air by the French forward. 

It did not take long for the West Londoners to reply to the goal, however. 

Cole Palmer equalised in the 21st minute after a ball in behind found Nicolas Jackson, who squared it to the 22-year-old, and he simply could not miss. 

Six minutes later, Palmer was at it again. Jadon Sancho was brought down inside the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. 

Like last season, Palmer smashed it past Bart Verbruggen to give Chelsea the lead.

Then, Palmer stepped up three minutes later to score a sensational free kick. Twenty-five yards out, it flew in the top right-hand corner, and there was absolutely no chance for Verbruggen. 

Brighton then responded after the goal. Robert Sanchez's pass out the back was intercepted by Carlos Baleba, who beat the Spaniard at his near post to give the Seagulls hope. 

Just before half-time, however, Palmer did it again. A well-weighted through ball by Sancho was snatched up by Palmer, who hit it low and true to extend the Blues' lead by two.

Here are four things we learnt as Chelsea recorded their third straight Premier League win:

The only player in Premier League history to score four goals in the first half.

Palmer was at it from minute one, and there was seemingly nothing the Seagulls could do to stop the England international. 

The decision-making and confidence that the youngster has is admirable.

For Palmer's hat-trick, it summed up everything about the former Manchester City man. Taking on a free kick from 25 yards out and placing it into the top corner was breathtaking. 

It is clear that the £40m player is now worth a lot more than when he joined Chelsea, but what is also obvious is that Palmer is playing at a level that puts him in conversation with some of the best in the world. 

A combined 50 goals and assists in 53 appearances is a staggering feat for an attacking midfielder. 

Cole Palmer and Erling Haaland have the most Premier League hat-tricks in 2024, with three. 

You expect these numbers from a striker, not from someone who plays behind them.

Palmer is at a level amongst the world's best, and he is clearly showing no signs of slowing down. 

  • Jadon Sancho is on fire 

Three matches, three assists for the winger.

Sancho has seemingly settled into West London with ease. The former Manchester United man fits into Enzo Maresca's system like a glove. 

It is also clear that the 24-year-old still has room for improvement, but what he is doing on the pitch now is something that only United fans would have dreamed of seeing.

The Manchester City academy graduate has the ability to beat a player while also playing the right pass at the appropriate time. 

In his debut for the two-time Champions League winners, he played the pass which won Chelsea the game against Bournemouth. 

Against Brighton, Sancho won the penalty and then made the history-making pass for Palmer to score his fourth. 

Maresca will be pleased with the winger's start to life in West London, but will expect more performances like the one today. 

  • Don't play a high line against Chelsea.

The West Londoners have pace in abundance to their attack, and Brighton seemingly found out the hard way. 

Countless times balls were either played over the top or on the floor, and Madueke or Jackson would be on the end of it charging towards the Brighton goal.

With the quality of passers Chelsea have at their disposal such as Palmer and Enzo Fernandez, it was seemingly an interesting choice for the visitors to set up in the way they did. 

Adam Webster and Lewis Dunk struggled at times to keep up with Jackson, Madueke, and Sancho's pace. 

It will be interesting to see how teams might set up against the Blues in the coming weeks. 

Although the Spanish keeper has had a promising start to the season, today's game showed that Sanchez still needs to improve on his decision-making. 

The first goal should have been addressed before arriving into the box. Sanchez decided to take a risk, and it did not pay off. 

Stretching to punch the ball away, the keeper was outjumped by Rutter, putting the Seagulls ahead. 

For the second goal for Brighton, it was a mistake which Chelsea fans got used to seeing last season. 

Risking it by playing a ball out the back under pressure and giving it to the opposition, Baleba slotted the ball into the near post to give Brighton fans hope. 

Mistakes happen in football, and this time around, Sanchez was rescued by his teammates. It is something the 26-year-old can work on and should not knock his fine start to the new season. 

Sanchez also made some key saves in the game to keep the momentum in Chelsea's hands, but Maresca and his coaching staff will look to direct the shot-stopper in the right direction in the future, to stop him from making errors like that again.