Brighton held their nerve to beat mid-table Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and aid their push for a European place.
The Blues scored a goal, a rare surprise for the home fans, but Conor Gallagher’s long-range strike was as good as it got for the west London side.
Instead, Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls turned it around with goals from Julio Enciso and Danny Welbeck to secure an important three points.
It was Frank Lampard‘s third straight defeat in his temporary run in charge of Chelsea, while Brighton remain hot in pursuit of a high Premier League finish.
Gerry Cox breaks down some of the more unusual talking points following Chelsea 1-2 Brighton.
Julio Enciso scored a long-range screamer for Brighton on their way to a 2-1 win at the Bridge
Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher had opened the scoring for the hosts, but the Blues failed to win
The Blues break the wrong sort of records
Chelsea continue to break the wrong sort of records as their worst season in recent memory continues. Brighton rained in 26 shots on Kepa Arrizabalaga’s goal, the most by an opposing side at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League era.
By contrast the Blues manged just eight shots, with only two on target – and it took a deflection off Lewis Dunk’s boot to give them their first goal in five games.
Brighton also enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, and a far greater xG number: 2.9 compared to Chelsea’s 0.5.
Brighton had 26 shots on Kepa Arrizabalaga’s goal, a Premier League record for the visitors
Visiting fans their vent anger at the Premier League
Brighton’s fans were in much better spirits at Stamford Bridge than they were during their 2-1 defeat at Tottenham a week earlier.
Last weekend they were livid with refereeing decisions that went against them, not for the first time this season, and they clearly had not forgotten, chanting ‘The Premier League is corrupt.’
They also taunted Frank Lampard on his first home game as caretaker manager when they sang ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning.’
Brighton’s fans vented their anger at the Premier League side and mocked Frank Lampard’s job
Legends publicise mental health drive at the Bridge
A trio of Chelsea legends tried to raise awareness for a Samaritans-backed mental health initiative – and also raise morale – by appearing on the Stamford Bridge pitch at half-time.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Gary Cahill were helping to publicise the drive for men to talk about their problems, called #TalkMoreThanFootball.
Some supporters could not help wondering whether the three ageing legends would have strengthened the current starting line-up.
Gary Cahill, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Eidur Gudjohnsen raised awareness of Samaritans
De Zerbi is happier… but still hits icebox in frustration
Roberto De Zerbi was far happier than in last week’s defeat by Tottenham, when the Brighton manager received his second red card of the season, to add to his four yellows.
This time De Zerbi was all smiles at the end of a well-deserved victory, although there were moments when he looked close to losing it, and at one point he hammered in frustration on the lid of the sturdy plastic icebox used to house the player’s isotonic drinks.
Luckily no disciplinary action was required.
Roberto De Zerbi was happier than last week, but still lashed out at an icebox in frustration
Ashley Cole quick to gives notes to his Blues proteges
Ashley Cole was in the Chelsea dugout at Stamford Bridge for the first time as Frank Lampard’s assistant, and he wasted no time in making his presence felt.
When the Blues were defending a corner, the former England and Chelsea left-back ran to the edge of the technical area to make a point to Ben Chilwell, who has those roles now.
And as a former winger before converting to a full-back, Cole was quick to offer advice to Chelsea’s widemen too.
Ashley Cole was on hand to offer advice to those taking on his former roles in the Chelsea team
It’s not just Ashley Cole who’s coming back to SW6…
Another former Chelsea star heading back to the Bridge is John Terry, who will be part of a legends match against Bayern Munich on September 9 to raise funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer charity in memory of Gianluca Vialli, who passed away earlier this year.
The two sets of former players will recreate the Champions League final from 2012, and Terry said in Saturday’s matchday programme: ‘I haven’t actually been out on it (the pitch) since I played my last game, so it’s been a while. It’s great for us ex-players to get back together and pay tribute to Luca. I can’t wait.’
In the programme, John Terry spoke about ex-players reuniting for charity game in September
Gallagher snaps eight-game streak with his goal
Conor Gallagher’s 13th-minute goal broke a run of eight successive home games without a first-half goal in the Premier League, another unwanted record that equalled a similar barren spell from 1992-93. Even so, Gallagher’s shot needed a huge slice of luck when it hit the boot of Brighton captain Lewis Dunk and looped over Robert Sanchez in opposition goal.
