Joao Pedro scored again as Chelsea beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge, prompting some supporters to label him one of the best forwards in the world.
His latest performance has added to the growing excitement around the striker, who has been one of the league’s standout players in recent weeks. Chelsea raced into a three-goal lead inside the first half hour through Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro himself, before Brighton fought back to within a goal.
Cole Palmer’s finish in the 74th minute restored Chelsea’s two-goal cushion, while Pascal Groß’s stoppage-time header made it 4-3. The win kept Xabi Alonso unbeaten after his first two Premier League games as Chelsea manager.
How Joao Pedro Performed Against Brighton: Goals, Rating and Key Moments
Joao Pedro put Chelsea 3-0 up in the 34th minute of the match, finishing a move involving several of Alonso’s attacking players. It was his second Premier League goal of the season, following his opener in the win over Fulham on the opening weekend.
He was also on the wrong side of fortune later in the game. Brighton’s second goal in the 63rd minute came after Pascal Groß’s shot deflected off João Pedro and into the net, rather than from any mistake by the Chelsea forward.
According to FotMob, Joao Pedro is averaging an 8.26 rating in the Premier League this season, putting him among the competition’s highest-rated strikers. NBC Sports described him during the match as being “in red-hot form leading the line.”
Since Alonso’s arrival, Pedro has become a key part of an attack that also features Morgan Rogers and Palmer.
What Chelsea Fans Are Saying About Joao Pedro After the Brighton Win
Supporters did not hold back after the final whistle. One fan wrote: "Joao Pedro is top 3 best CF in the world, unbelievable jugador."
Another fan gave a detailed breakdown of what makes him so difficult to defend against, calling him “one hell of a player.” The supporter praised Pedro’s ability to drop between the lines, link play intelligently, finish with both feet, and press relentlessly.
They also pointed to his versatility, saying he can play as a 9, a 10 or from either flank, while describing his footballing brain as “genuinely elite.”
Others were just as direct. “Joao Pedro is brilliant,” one supporter wrote, adding that they wished their own club had a No. 9 this complete. Another simply posted: “Joao Pedro is unbelievable.” A separate fan argued: “Don’t think you get much more complete as a 9 than Joao Pedro.”
The praise extended to the position itself. One fan wrote that Joao Pedro is "deffo breaking that No. 9 curse," while another said they loved "everything about Joao Pedro," pointing to his hold-up play and two-footed finishing before calling him simply Chelsea's number 9.
Why Joao Pedro's Form Could End Chelsea's No.9 Problem
The reaction also shows how much Chelsea fans’ view of the No. 9 position has changed. The club has gone through several strikers in recent seasons without finding a long-term answer, which is why some fans have started talking about a “curse” on the shirt.
His next league appearance comes against Arsenal, a much tougher test of whether he can maintain this form against one of Chelsea’s main title rivals.
