Graham Potter returned to his former side Brighton & Hove Albion hoping to continue the unbeaten form, but was embarrassed as the Seagulls went on to win 4-1 at the Amex Stadium.
From the get go Brighton came on top and started the better game. But it has to be said that the Chelsea defence were exceptional poor too. Thiago Silva came to the rescue as he made two goal line clearances – one from his own mistake to deny the hosts an early goal.
But it was again the veteran defender who gave away the ball which lead to Leandro Trossard opening Brighton’s account for the match. Less than 10 minutes later. They doubled their lead through Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s own goal. After that, Chelsea came close to scoring a few times only for players like Christian Pulisic and Conor Gallagher to miss relatively easy chances to get the visitors back in the game.
Just before the half time, the match pretty much came to an end after Trevoh Chalobah’s own goal tripled Roberto De Zerbi’s side’s lead and piled on the misery. In the second half, CFC started better and scored early on through Kai Havertz’s header, although that was pretty much the end of the challenge. BHAFC’s defence was resolute and Chelsea kept missing chances showcasing the biggest issue thats needs resolving. Here’s how each Blue fared in a dismal performance:
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga (Goalkeeper): 5/10
Kepa probably had his worst half of football after the appointment of Graham Potter as he conceded three goals in an half, which were not his fault at all but the Spaniard got replaced at half time as he was struggling with an injury.
2. Trevoh Chalobah (Centerback): 5/10
Today was not the day for any of the Chelsea defenders as the Seagulls’ third goal came as Trevoh Chalobah’s own goal in the 42nd minute. In the second half with the Blues pushing forward, Chalobah was a few times caught off position. Unbeaten run for Chalobah comes to an end.
3. Thiago Silva (Centerback): 5/10
Had the worst possible start to the game. Despite making two goal line clearances in the opening three minutes, Silva gave away the ball just outside the Chelsea box for the second time, leading to Brighton’s first goal. In the second half with Chelsea having majority of the possession, Chelsea were caught on break a few times and Silva did well to deal with it but couldn’t stop Brighton’s fourth goal.
4. Marc Cucurella (Centerback): 4/10
Brighton team specifically targeted the Cucurella’s side to attack from and they were very effect in that. The Spanish defender could barely defend against the likes of March and was second best throughout the first half. In the second half, with CFC having the majority of the ball Cucurella was less troubled and was replaced by Ben Chilwell in the 63rd minute.
5. Raheem Sterling (Right Wingback): 4/10
Started as a wingback but soon went to the wings. Throughout the game Sterling was very wasteful and soft on the ball in the final half, going down very easily and breaking any momentum Chelsea are creating. By far his worst performance in a Chelsea shirt. Sterling was replaced by Aubameyang in the 63rd minute.
6. Ruben Loftus Cheek (Central Midfielder): 5/10
The first contribution of Ruben Loftus Cheek came as an own goal in the 14th minute to double Brighton’s lead. Throughout the game, Loftus Cheek could not influence the game in a positive way and was very well dealt with by the Brighton players making it seem as if the English midfielder was not even on the pitch.
7. Mateo Kovacic (Central Midfielder): 5/10
Mateo Kovacic tried his best but came short in the final half and in playing the final pass. The Brighton midfield was successful in pressuring the Croatian midfielder which lead to bad passes and possession being lost. For Brighton’s fourth goal, it was Kovacic’s mistake which lead to it.
8. Christian Pulisic (Left Wingback): 5/10
Pulisic had the best chance to open the scoring for Chelsea but pretty much missed an open goal and shot his effort wide. Throughout the game, Pulisic was barely influential in the final third getting out muscled every time he tried to dribble past the Brighton defenders. Very frustrating displace from the American international. Pulisic was replaced by Armando Broja in the 79th minute.
9. Mason Mount (Right Winger): 5/10
Mason Mount for the majority of the game was anonymous and was barely involved in the attacking half. Even in the second half with Chelsea having majority of the possession, Mount couldn’t assert his dominance and get Chelsea back in the game.
10. Kai Havertz (Striker): 7/10
The German tested Sanchez only a few times in the first half but opened the scoring in the second half from a delightful cross from Gallagher. Apart from this, Havertz had a couple of more chances that he should have scored but his wastefulness in front of goal pretty much summed up his Chelsea career until now.
11. Conor Gallagher (Left Winger): 7/10
After Chelsea went two goals down, Gallagher had the great chance to score their first goal but shot his effort straight at Sanchez in the 17th minute. Then a few minutes later forced Sanchez into making an excellent save again denying the west Londoners. In the second half, put in a delightful cross for Havertz to open Chelsea’s account. Had a better second half and probably the best away attacker of the day. Gallagher was replaced by Ziyech in the 79th minute.
12. Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper): 5/10
Edouard Mendy came on for the injured Kepa and throughout the second half was responsible for putting the Blues defence under pressure. His frailties was very evident in the seasiders’ fourth goal which showed how bad Mendy is with his passing.
13. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Striker): 6/10
Aubameyang came on for Raheem Sterling in the 63rd minute and was involved in majority of the attacking plays and even forced Sanchez into making a good save but apart from that couldn’t influence the game much.
14. Ben Chilwell (Left Back): 6/10
Ben Chilwell came on for Marc Cucurella in the 63rd minute and was decent enough in the attacking half but not impactful as most of his crosses went straight to Sanchez.
14. Armando Broja (Striker): NA
Armando Broja came on for Christian Pulisic in the 79th minute and was barely involved in any attacking CFC play as Brighton played well on the counter.
15. Hakim Ziyech (Right Winger): 6/10
Hakim Ziyech came on for Conor Gallagher in the 79th minute and troubled Sanchez once with his free kick but that was pretty much all of it.