The fixture is the second of back-to-back games for the Blues at the Amex Stadium. The first came on Saturday and ended in disappointment as we exited the FA Cup at the fourth-round stage following a 2-1 defeat.

There is an opportunity for an immediate response on Friday evening – and our Valentine's Day date presents an opportunity for the Blues to open a five-point lead over those sides outside the Premier League top four.

Brighton, meanwhile, head into the game tenth in the top-flight table and without a home league victory since early November.

Yet the challenge the Seagulls pose is clear – and Maresca highlighted after our FA Cup defeat that his side must begin to manage games better, especially after we have established a lead.

'We need to learn how to win games 1-0. I said many times,' Maresca explained.

‘But in the same way, in the last game against West Ham, we were losing but in the end won 2-1. That is part of the season, part of football.

'Sometimes you are down and win and sometimes it happens like tonight. I said already to the players weeks ago – and said again tonight – that as a team we need to learn to win games 1-0.'

Friday's contest at the Amex kicks off at 8pm and you can follow it live across the official Chelsea app and the official Chelsea website, with live audio commentary, unrivalled coverage, and minute-by-minute updates in our match centre.