Chelsea’s season plunged to a new low as they lost 3-0 at Brighton, marking their fifth consecutive Premier League match without scoring — their worst barren run since 1912. Liam Rosenior, Chelsea’s head coach, faced chants for his dismissal from travelling supporters as Brighton moved above Chelsea into sixth with four games remaining.
Ferdi Kadioglu, Jack Hinshelwood and substitute Danny Welbeck scored for Brighton. Kadioglu opened the scoring after three minutes when Pascal Gross’ corner was flicked on at the near post by Jorrel Hato and the ball was side-footed in via a deflection off Wesley Fofana. Brighton dominated thereafter, with Chelsea failing to register a meaningful response for long periods.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez produced a near-costly pass that teed up Hinshelwood, but Trevoh Chalobah cleared off the line. Chelsea managed only their first shot of the match in the 43rd minute and took 32 minutes to make a single tackle — telling signs of a team second best in every department. A slip by Moises Caicedo allowed Georginio Rutter to feed Hinshelwood for the second, and Welbeck added a third in stoppage time from a low cross by Maxim De Cuyper.
The defeat was especially painful given Chelsea’s heavy recent spending and repeated losses at the Amex, and Brighton supporters taunted former Seagulls players Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Sanchez. Cole Palmer and top scorer Joao Pedro were absent for Chelsea.
Player ratings (selected):
– Brighton: Verbruggen 8, Van Hecke 8, Kadioglu 8, Hinshelwood 8, Mitoma 8. Player of the Match: Hinshelwood.
– Chelsea: Sanchez 5, Fofana 5, Chalobah 6, Cucurella 6, Caicedo 5, Lavia 5, Delap 6.
After the match Rosenior called the display “unacceptable,” saying he could no longer defend aspects of the team’s performance and that something had to change “drastically right here, right now.” He stressed personal accountability but warned the overall attitude and determination from several starters were below the club’s standards.
Former Chelsea captain Gary Cahill told Sky Sports there were “no positives” to take, saying the side looked fragile and low on confidence and that Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Leeds at Wembley is now pivotal.
Chelsea now head into the FA Cup semi-final hoping to arrest a troubling run and restore belief, while Brighton continue their push for European places.