Graham Potter’s unbeaten start at Chelsea came to a crashing end, as the Blues were beaten 4-1 by Brighton at the Amex Stadium. Chelsea had been unbeaten in nine games with new manager Potter but found themselves 3-0 down at half-time. Havertz pulled one back after the break, but a late goal by Pascal Groß ensured a humiliating defeat for the Blues.
Kepa Arrizabalaga- 5/10
Not much Kepa could have done about the three goals he conceded in the first half. He was removed at half-time after a suspected injury, meaning Edouard Mendy came on for his first minutes under Potter.
Trevoh Chalobah- 4/10
Chalobah’s unbeaten record was destroyed today, as Chelsea’s defence was comprehensively dismantled. Chalobah was unfortunate to put the ball into his own net after deflecting a cross past Kepa. Not a good performance from the Englishman, who made numerous errors throughout the game
Thiago Silva- 5/10
Even the best of Chelsea’s players struggled today, with Thiago Silva making a big error in the build-up to Brighton’s opener. He had before that made two important goal line clearances, but the Brazilian looked uncomfortable.
Marc Cucurella- 3/10
The Spaniard was brutally targeted in the first half by Brighton, who clearly saw him as a weak point in Chelsea’s back three. Perhaps not helped by a very attacking formation that offered him no support, Cucurella struggled to deal with Solly March – who constantly had the better of him before he was removed mid-way through the second half.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek- 4/10
Another victim of scoring an own goal today, Loftus-Cheek stuck out a leg that deflected the ball into his own net from a corner. Apart from that, the Englishman looked off the pace. He was pushed to right back at half time, highlighting Chelsea’s lack of defensive depth.
Mateo Kovačić- 5/10
Despite some good dribbling at times, the Croatian struggled to have an impact in the game. A poor challenge earned him a yellow card early in the first half. A dreadful pass late in the game gifted Brighton the ball in the build-up to their fourth goal.
Christian Pulisic- 4/10
A disappointing performance from the American, who missed a gilt-edged opportunity early in the first half to get Chelsea back in the game. The ball fell to him after Sanchez had made a save, but Pulisic, who had the goal at his mercy, missed the target. He struggled to have any real impact throughout the game before being subbed in the second half.
Raheem Sterling- 5/10
A few good moments helped cover up what was another poor performance from Sterling. The Englishman could have had two assists with passes to Gallagher, one of which really should have been scored by the midfielder. Other than that, the winger looked slow on the ball and was subbed off in the second half.
Connor Gallagher- 6/10
A mixed bag from Gallagher today. The Englishman missed a huge one-on-one chance early on, tamely shooting straight at Sanchez. Throughout the game, he was sloppy with the ball. He did, however, play a fantastic ball into Havertz who scored early in the second half to reduce Chelsea’s deficit.
Mason Mount- 4/10
A disappointing performance from Mount, who just couldn’t seem to do anything right. A relatively simple pass to Havertz that would have seen the German clean through was misplaced. Other than a few tame shots at goal, the Englishman had no impact going forward.
Kai Havertz- 5/10
Goals in back-to-back games for the German, but that headed finish (which really should have been saved) covered up another weak performance. Havertz misplaced some simple passes and should have scored a second when he was found open in the box, but blasted his shot over the bar.
Subs
Edouard Mendy- 5/10
Brought on at half time for his first minutes under Potter, Mendy perhaps showed why the new manager prefers Kepa in goal. The Senegalese keeper played a terrible pass which almost resulted in a goal. Late in the game, he made a decent double save, before conceding on the third attempt.
Ben Chilwell- 5/10
A disappointing cameo from Chilwell, although he will feel aggrieved not to have started the game. The Englishman came on and struggled to have an impact going forward, playing multiple poor crosses straight into the arms of Sanchez.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang- 5/10
Apart from one average shot that was well saved, Aubameyang didn’t have much impact at all after he was subbed on during the second half.
Hakim Ziyech- N/A
Armando Broja- N/A
Graham Potter- 3/10
A tactical nightmare for Potter today, who was completely outclassed by his former club. His initial setup, which consisted of only three defensive-minded players on the whole pitch, was overwhelmed by Brighton easily. Chelsea went into half time 3-0 down. A switch to a back four after the break produced some positive results, but the gap proved too far to bridge for the Blues, who lost their first game under the new manager.
Twitter- @Kieranroy1
I hope this is not proof that GP is outside his league.