2. Enzo Maresca’s Tactical Blueprint
Chelsea's high press and aggressive play against Brighton’s high defensive line showcased how well-prepared they were for this match. Brighton, who came into the game unbeaten in the league, struggled to cope with Maresca’s men. If not for two mistakes from Robert Sanchez, a clean sheet would have been well within reach.
Maresca’s late second-half substitutions helped Chelsea withstand Brighton's late pressure as they pushed to salvage something from the match. While there is still room for improvement, particularly as the squad continues to adapt to Maresca’s tactical demands, the signs are promising for both the manager and the team’s future.
3. Jadon Sancho's Consistent Form
Saturday also saw Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho registering his third assist in as many matches. While still working his way back to full match fitness, Sancho has shown glimpses of the form that once made him one of the most exciting players in Europe during his Borussia Dortmund days. If he continues this form, he could prove that his struggles at Manchester United were not entirely down to him.
Negatives
1. Robert Sanchez’s Difficult Day
Despite some solid performances in recent matches, Saturday was one to forget for Robert Sanchez. The first Brighton goal stemmed from a poor clearance by Levi Colwill. But it was Sanchez’s complete misjudgment of the ball’s flight that resulted in an easy header for Georginio Rutter. The second goal came directly from Sanchez’s failed attempt to play out from the back, with Carlos Baleba intercepting a wayward pass intended for Moisés Caicedo.
For a keeper supposedly adept with the ball at his feet, Sanchez’s distribution was dreadful, and his long-ball accuracy repeatedly let Chelsea down. While he has shown flashes of quality in the previous two games in terms of shot-stopping, his performance against Brighton raised questions about whether Chelsea need a more reliable ball-playing goalkeeper.