Brighton vs Chelsea result

It was a 4-1 setback on the south coast. The hosts were yet to win under new Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi heading into the match and they went in search of their first three points since early September from the get-go in east Sussex, applying the early pressure in front of their home fans.

That meant that just three minutes into the contest Thiago Silva was forced to show his sheer brilliance, first nodding a Leandro Trossard header over the bar, before producing a carbon copy clearance from an Estupinan shot moments later.

Slow starters

Early pressure in the Chelsea penalty area eventually paid dividends. Trossard dispossessed Thiago Silva on the edge of our box, before playing a neat one-two with Mitoma.

The Belgian then rounded Kepa and netted his second goal in as many games.

Despite taking the lead, De Zerbi’s Seagulls did not stop there. A flurry of home corners eventually led to them doubling their advantage, as Loftus-Cheek deflected into his own net after a whipped-in corner bounced off his left knee, and past Kepa.

We did shown signs of a reaction soon after, with Chelsea’s biggest chance to halve the deficit coming 17 minutes in, when Gallagher was denied by Sanchez from just eight yards. The rebound then popped up for Pulisic, however the American missed the target completely with his volley.

Gallagher then must have thought his luck had turned when he glanced a teasing header goal bound, only for the excellence of Brighton’s Spanish goalkeeper to deny him yet again.

Havertz was next to hit the target, after bringing down a Loftus-Cheek lofted through ball perfectly, but his left-footed shot was tipped round the post for a corner.

The Seagulls then added a third before half-time, with the Blues scoring a second own goal of the afternoon as Chalobah diverted the ball beyond Kepa at the near post after Estupinan had sent in a low cross.

Looking for a reaction second half

Edouard Mendy replaced Kepa at half-time to make his first appearance for the Blues since the win over West Ham in early September but was the change in formation which ensured Chelsea started the second half much brighter.

We looked a far more direct threat immediately after the second period kicked off, with Havertz adding to his goal on Tuesday with a powerful header, after Gallagher had picked him out with an inviting cross six yards from goal.

The German could have doubled his tally on the hour mark, after Sanchez had spilled a Mount corner, although his attempt was rather dragged towards goal.

Aubameyang, who was introduced onto the grass 64 minutes in, then tested Sanchez with a direct run cutting in from the left, with the Spaniard equal to his low drive as he palmed it out for a corner. The resulting set piece filtered its way through to Ben Chilwell, who dragged another attempt wide of the mark.

Mount was next to stings the palms of their shot-stopper for his second shot on target of the contest, but again, it was straight at the 24-year-old.

The Blues did dominate proceedings from then on in, despite the hosts attempting to catch Potter’s side on the counter-attack as we reached the closing stages.

Havertz was again the man in the right place as Loftus-Cheek fizzed a cross back from the by-line, however he was leaning back as he sent a shot into the visiting supporters and above Sanchez’s bar.

The fifth goal of the match came in stoppage time. After a smart double save from Mendy to deny Enciso, Pascal Gross slotted in the rebound, despite a VAR check for offside.

The selection

Potter made two changes to the side that defeated RB Salzburg in midweek, with Mason Mount coming in for striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ruben Loftus-Cheek replacing Jorginho.

Chelsea, who were sporting our new sesame third shirt for the first time this afternoon, lined up in expected fashion: Sterling and Pulisic holding the width just as they did in Austria, with Gallagher and Mount supporting frontman Havertz.

It again was a back three of Chalobah, Thiago Silva and Cucurella for the third successive match, the latter of which returning to the side who he performed so well for last season.

After the interval, Loftus-Cheek came to right back as we switched to a flat back four, leaving Kovacic on his own in a deeper midfield role, and five attackers ahead of him.

Sterling and Pulisic remained wide, however they swapped sides second half. We ended the contest with Havertz, Broja and Aubameyang all operating in the forward roles, with our No.9 in the middle of the three.

The teams

Brighton: Sanchez, Gross, Webster, Dunk (c), Estupinan, March, Mac Allister, Caicedo, Mitoma (Lamptey 72’), Lallana (Enciso 64’), Trossard (Sarmiento 86’)

Unused subs: Steele, Undav, Gilmour, Turns, Furlong, Moran

Scorer: Trossard 5, Loftus-Cheek (OG) 14, Chalobah (OG) 42, Gross 90+2’

Booked: Enciso 83

Chelsea: Kepa (Mendy 46’), Chalobah, Thiago Silva (c), Cucurella (Chilwell 64’), Pulisic (Broja, 79’), Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Sterling ((Aubameyang 64’), Mount, Gallagher (Ziyech 79’), Havertz

Unused subs: Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Zakaria, Hutchinson

Scorers: Havertz 48

Booked: Kovacic 10, Sterling 50

Referee: Andy Madley

Attendance: 31,746

Brighton v Chelsea Premier League table

You can view the Premier League table here.

What time are Brighton v Chelsea highlights available?

Match highlights from this game will be available from 7pm UK time on matchday on chelseafc.com and The 5th Stand app.

Chelsea fixtures - what's next?

After returning to London after tonight’s game on the south coast, the focus switches back to the Champions League as we host our final group game in midweek, as Dinamo Zagreb visit.

We have already qualified for this season’s knockout stages as Group E winners.

Next fixture: Chelsea vs Dinamo Zagreb

Date: Wednesday 2 November 2022

Kick-off time: 8pm UK time

Location: Stamford Bridge