Chelsea star called out for ‘ungrateful’ moment during Brighton win

Chelsea superstar Joao Pedro has been slammed on social media for his celebration during the 4-3 win over Brighton.

On Saturday afternoon, Chelsea extended their run under new manager Xabi Alonso to three wins in a row with a 4-3 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion in their second Premier League fixture.

Goals from Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto, Pedro and Cole Palmer secured the win for the home side, with a strike from Malick Yalcouye, an own goal from Pedro and a late goal from Pascal Gross teasing a Brighton comeback.

When the full-time whistle was blown, the reception at Stamford Bridge was electric as the seven-goal thriller takes the London club to third in the Premier League standings ahead of a tough clash with local rivals Arsenal at the Emirates next weekend.

However, not all fans inside the Chelsea ground were happy the Alonso's players, as Brighton fans made their feelings towards former player Pedro known by booing him throughout the clash.

Pedro, who played for Brighton two seasons until he joined Chelsea in July 2025, was subject to constant jeers from the away fans after he missed a huge chance early in the match, firing the ball wide while only a few yards out.

However, Chelsea's star striker later made up for this rare blunder as he scored the club's third goal of the match, seemingly putting the match to bed.

And when he found the back of the net, there was only one thing that the Brazilian wanted to do, run over to the Brighton fans to celebrate right in front of them.

Earlier in the match he was also seen reacting to some of the jeering by pointing to the Club World Cup badge and the score board.

Typically, when a player faces his former club they remain respectful during the match, something that former Seagulls winger Anthony Knockaert took to social media to remind Pedro in an angry post.

Writing on his Instagram story, Knockaert said: "Don’t forget what Brighton did for you mate. Ungrateful."

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Joao Pedro speaks out after backlash for goal celebration

But, according to Pedro, there was no malice in hsi celebrations, and he would have behaved exactly the same against any team in the Premier League.

"I just celebrate, it could be any fans, any team. I just want to do my celebration," he told BBC Sport.

Speaking about the match, he added: "We started really well but then conceded goals. We should be more consistent and not give the opponents energy. Dibu [Emiliano Martinez] again showed his quality.

"Step by step, we will achieve our level. But it was very important to get the three points today. I know Brighton really well. I know I could be dangerous in the counter. Today, I could show my speed up front.

"In front, we are very strong. The whole team, we have good players in every position. We need to build in the confidence and togetherness and hopefully we can keep winning like today.’

Pedro now has two goals and two assists in his first two league matches of the season.

At Brighton, played 70 times for and scored 30 goals as well as assisting 10 more.