For the first time in four years since 2021, Chelsea failed to register a shot on target in a Premier League match, a clear indicator of their blunt attacking display.
The Blues never looked remotely threatening, lacking any real spark – no dangerous moments, no bold take-on – just a dull, uninspired, and ineffective attack.
The same team that knocked them out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory just last Saturday have now handed them an even more humiliating 3-0 defeat.
It’s safe to say Chelsea didn’t learn anything from the first encounter.
Rather than showing signs of improvement, they fell into the same traps, unable to find solutions to their opponent’s approach.
If anything, this second loss only magnifies their issues, raising serious questions about their ability to adapt and respond appropriately
Revenge was perfectly executed within the span of six days for the Seagulls, as they avenged their earlier 4-2 defeat from September in emphatic fashion.
This was the perfect way for Brighton to respond after their humiliating 7-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Bouncing back by beating a top-four club was nothing short of remarkable, proving their resilience and character in the face of adversity.
The sheer joy on the players’ faces at full-time spoke volumes – they celebrated as if they had just won a trophy, and rightly so.
After the turmoil at the City Ground, their fans deserved this moment of happiness, a reminder of why football is as much about redemption as it is about glory.
Costly Defensive Lapses from Chelsea
One major thing that stood out was Chelsea’s porous and frankly absurd defensive setup – it was so bad it could burn the eyes.
Brighton sliced through their high defensive line with ease, like water through a sponge.
There was no real urgency, no cohesion, and certainly no commitment among the defenders.
This lack of defensive discipline was glaring in Brighton’s first goal, where Chelsea’s backline was caught completely out of sync, allowing their opponents to stroll through unchallenged.
Once again Kaoru Mitoma couldn’t wait to express his love at the sight of a Chelsea Logo.
An exceptional goal from the Japanese international – pure technique and finesse in executing an absolutely stellar finish.
His composure under pressure and the precision of his strike made it a moment of brilliance.
However, one thing worth pointing out is Malo Gusto’s sudden drop in commitment to support Chalobah.
Instead of doubling up on Mitoma, he hesitated, leaving his teammate isolated against Brighton’s in-form winger.
A bit more defensive awareness and support could have changed the outcome of that situation. But still, I’ll reiterate – it was a world-class goal from Mitoma.
Another absolute disaster of a performance came from Marc Cucurella.
As much as I’d like to lean into the possibility that the hostile crowd affected him, there are just some fundamentals that should be second nature to a defender.
How do you, from almost identical positions, show your man onto his stronger foot twice?
His defensive positioning was so poor it was as if he was inviting Yankuba Minteh to cut inside onto his left.
And Yankuba Minteh didn’t need a second invitation – he took full advantage, scoring two goals and playing a key role in Brighton’s win.
A shocking defensive display from Cucurella, to say the least.
Hopefully, it’s just one of those days for the Spaniard.
The bottom line is if there’s going to be any chance for the Blues to shore up their defence, there’s a vital need for a change in attitude while defending the ball, the backline needs to all way fight for each ball and work collectively.
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Lacklustre Attack
This match highlights how costly it can be when the attacking phase falters.
Cole Palmer, usually Chelsea’s main inspiration, played like a man frustrated, struggling to make an impact.
Noni Madueke’s early exit due to injury added to their woes, while Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho were virtually anonymous, contributing little to the attacking play.
When the key creative outlets fail to spark, the usual wins quickly turn into defeats.
For a team that relied heavily on its attacking prowess to rack up points earlier in the season – often outscoring opponents despite defensive lapses – this sudden dip in attacking form is now proving costly.
Those once-assured victories are turning into frustrating losses. The pressing question now is: with Chelsea’s forward line stuck in this slump, how long will this poor run of form persist?
With just two wins in their last nine games, Chelsea’s hopes of securing a top-four finish are fading fast.
Their grip on the spot is loosening, with both Newcastle and Manchester City level on points and breathing down their necks.
If they don’t find a way to reverse this slump soon, their Champions League ambitions could slip away entirely.
The best result Chelsea could hope for in Saturday’s clash between Newcastle and Manchester City would be a draw, as it would keep the points gap from widening.
However, relying on external results isn’t a sustainable strategy.
If they truly want to keep their Champions League hopes alive, they must take control of their own destiny and start delivering consistent performances even if Enzo Maresca has to conjure magic.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
Recording Date: 14.02.2025