Summer additions Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson were impressive as Chelsea made a winning start in the Premier League Summer Series.
Both forwards found the back of the net as their side secured a 4-3 victory over Brighton in Philadelphia.
Jackson also assisted his teammates twice despite having come in after 60 minutes for Nkunku. The Senegalese was involved in Mykhailo Mudryk and Conor Gallagher goals in the second half.
Brighton’s three goals on the day were scored by Danny Welbeck, Joao Pedro and Denis Undav.
Welbeck broke the game’s deadlock earlier in the game with an instinct finish after being found unmarked in the box by Kaoru Mitoma’s header.
Few minutes later, Chelsea levelled matters after Nkunku deaf touched the ball into the back of the net.
Nkunku’s goal meant the game went into the break tied at 1-all.
Chelsea then made a strong start to the closing half as they pressed and harried Brighton’s backline. It was from one of those such waves of pressure that Brighton’s defender Jan Paul Van Hecke clattered into Cesare Casadei on the touchline and was shown a second yellow card and then a red.
Chelsea then used the numerical advantage to go ahead soon afterwards as Mudryk got his first ever Chelsea goal after having interchanged several passes with Jackson to find space and fire beyond Bart Verbruggen- the Brighton goalkeeper.
The third came a few minutes later with again Jackson involved. The Senegalese used his quick feet to set-up Gallagher, who finished calmly from eight yards .
Jackson then turned from goal provider to goal scorer as he made a brilliant run behind the defenders to finish off Marc Cucurella’s pass.
Before the end of the game, Brighton reduced the deficit to just a single goal as Pedro converted from the spot before Undav added a late third.
This is a second pre-season victory for Pochettino’s side after having beaten Wexcham 5-0 on Wednesday.
They will now take on Newcastle next in their second Premier League Summer Series match in Atlanta on Wednesday.
