Potter's Brighton return ends in pain amidst defensive errors

Brighton celebrate after watching Nathan Chalobah divert the ball into his own net in their 4-1 over Chelsea on Saturday at the Amex. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Graham Potter’s return to Brighton ended in defeat as Roberto De Zerbi, his replacement at the Amex chose the perfect occasion to record his first-ever win as a Brighton boss.

Potter had gone unbeaten since arriving at Stamford Bridge and looked set to pile more misery on his successor but it didn’t take long for Leandro Trossard to go into history books as the only player to have scored the first five goals of a new manager’s reigns with a fine finish inside the Chelsea area.

Veteran defender Thiago Silva had successfully cleared the ball off the line twice in the opening exchanges albeit after making the errors himself but he was third-time unlucky with Brighton intercepting his wayward pass and Trossard danced around Kepa Arrizabalaga for the opener.

Two own goals soon followed, much to the dismay of the visiting fans. First, Ruben Loftus-Cheek diverted Solly March’s corner kick into his own net, and then Nathan Chalobah was unfortunate to see his effort swerve past the Chelsea keeper while he attempted to intercept Estupinian’s cross.

Chelsea rang changes at the break, Edouard Mendy made his debut under Potter, coming on for the injured Spaniard and Chelsea found the back of the net almost immediately after the restart; Kai Havertz got on the end of a neat Connor Gallagher cross and it felt like the fight back was on.

Brighton stood firm, Robert Sanchez made heroic saves and the defense kept the score line intact despite Chelsea’s onslaught; there was a time however for the hosts to add another one at the death when Pascal Gross got on the end of a rebound to round off the scoring.

The loss meant Chelsea now go behind Manchester United in sixth and ten points off the top of the log while the Seagulls go within three points of Chelsea with the statement win. Up next for the Blues is the visit of Arsenal to Stamford Bridge, it’s a game they can’t afford to lose.