Chelsea star slammed for 'ungrateful' act during Brighton win

Joao Pedro got on the scoresheet against his former club (Picture: AP)

Chelsea star Joao Pedro was labelled ‘ungrateful’ after his celebrations during the Blues’ 4-3 Premier League win against Brighton on Sunday.

Xabi Alonso’s side continued their perfect start under their new boss, but were made to sweat in an entertaining clash at Stamford Bridge.

Joao Pedro, who scored on the opening weekend against Fulham, started against his former side Brighton and was the subject of jeers from the away fans right from the start of the encounter.

Those jeers reached their peak when the Brazilian wasted a golden opportunity early in the first half, firing wide of the mark from only yards out with nobody around him.

However, Joao Pedro soon made amends, tucking home Chelsea’s third on the break before making a beeline to celebrate in front of the irate Brighton fans.

In a separate incident before his goal, Joao Pedro was also seen goading the travelling fans by reminding them of the scoreline with his hands.

Such acts did not go down well with former Seagulls winger Anthony Knockaert, who labelled the striker’s choice of celebration as ‘ungrateful’ to his former club.

Former Brighton winger Anthony Knockaert was not happy with Joao Pedro (Picture: knockaert_anthony)

Joao Pedro giving it the “2-0” to the away fans after missing a sitter….. #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/C17pAIHqJj— MwepuMagic (@MwepuMagic) August 30, 2026

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

Joao Pedro, however, insisted there was no ill will behind his celebration, telling BBC Sport: ‘I just celebrate, it could be any fans, any team. I just want to do my celebration.’

On his side’s performance more generally, 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.

@flemingben Are Xabi Alonso’s side ready to take on Arsenal? 🤔 #premierleague #chelsea #colepalmer ♬ original sound – Ben Fleming: Sports Journalist

‘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.’

Joao Pedro now has two goals and two assists in his first two league matches of the season, and was praised by Darren Bent post-match, who insisted the striker was the best player on the pitch ‘by a distance’.

Joao Pedro celebrates his goal in front of Brighton’s fans (Picture: AP)

Watching Chelsea’s third goal back on Sky Sports, Bent said: ‘Really good finish.

‘Morgan Rogers was at the heart of it, he starts it, then it’s Hato with a really good run.