YANKUBA MINTEH scored twice as Brighton beat Chelsea for the second time in a week.
Just six days after a 2-1 win sent the Blues crashing out of the FA Cup, Brighton dominated on their way to a 3-0 win.
Karou Mitoma opened the scoring with a BRILLIANT touch and finish before Minteh scored one in each half.
Chelsea were atrocious – they managed ZERO shots on target despite having 70 PER CENT possession.
- Kick off time: 8pm GMT
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event
- Live stream: NOW/Sky Sports app
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Horror return to old club
He was booed from start to finish, with the Brighton fans not hiding their feelings about Marc Cucurella.
At first, he found it amusing but as each goal went in his night became more of a nightmare.
Leaving a club for better things and to win silverware does not cut the mustard when you return and are handed a hiding by your ex-employers.
Credit: AP Having a Fab time at Amex Stadium
After tonight’s impressive win, the manager spoke with Sky Sports who asked if he thought this was the perfect performance:
I wouldn’t say it was a complete performance. Sometimes we became too passive. We changed it in the second-half and that was key today. Defending was key, in the Premier League if you have the mindset you can defend then you can score goals at the other end. I give the best for the success of the club and my players, that is what I always promise myself.
Fabian Hurzeler
Time to shine for Brighton
The Seagulls showed some fantastic form at the start of the season that saw them, at one stage, in the top four.
Hurzeler needs to use this victory to find that consistency again.
If Brighton can do that, they can really push on and try to secure some European football next campaign.
Seagulls flying high in the league
Brighton have moved into eighth spot with victory tonight.
They are now only six points behind fourth placed Chelsea.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side really have a chance to push on from this moment and do something special in the Premier League this season.
Another European campaign on the horizon would be some achievement for the young manager’s first season in charge.
Credit: Alamy Blues need to right wrongs quickly
With some tough fixtures coming up, Chelsea have no time to feel sorry for themselves.
Maresca’s side have to travel to both Aston Villa and Arsenal in the coming weeks, with victories desperately needed.
Should they only qualify for one of Europe’s lesser trophies again, that simply isn’t good enough for a club of this size.
Boss fails to let defeat affect mindset
Speaking with Sky Sports after the match, the Chelsea manager laid out his thoughts on tonight’s game:
With fourteen games to go, we need to do much better than we did tonight. In terms of controlling the game or keep possession, we did that. We arrive quite well to the edge of the box but we struggled from there. Fortunately, we are still in a good position and we have to finish in the best way.
Enzo Maresca
Maresca’s side freeze on big stage
On a freezing cold evening in Brighton, The Blues really failed to deliver in a game they needed to win.
While they stay in fourth spot, for now, the chasing pack will have the chance to displace them from that coveted Champions League spot.
Having lost here in the FA Cup last weekend, they knew what was required of them and failed to turn up at all.
You have to feel for their fans who made the trip from West London mostly, what a waste of an evening.
Mitoma tears Blues apart
The Brighton winger opened the scoring this evening with a contender for the goal of the month competition.
Verbruggen’s long ball was pulled out of the air by the Japanese winger before a delightful curling shot to beat the Chelsea keeper.
Whenever The Seagulls got the ball to him, he was causing Maresca’s side all sorts of problems.
Turning down that offer from Saudi in the January transfer window seems some shrewd business right now.
Credit: Reuters West Londoners humbled on south coast
Over the years, Chelsea have poached managers, coaches and players from Brighton for some huge money.
However, you would think it was the other way around if you watched this game tonight.
At some point, the owners may start to ask questions of Maresca and whether this squad has improved at all from the one Pochettino had last season.
Now I’m a Baleba
Carlos Baleba was a very close second for the man of the match award this evening.
He physical presence, tackling and hunger to get forward caused Chelsea problems all evening.
Despite the fact he was going up against two opposing centre midfielders who cost in excess of £200m, he really showed them up tonight.
Blues fold like a pack of cards
This was a dismal display from the West London outfit.
Rarely will you see a top-flight side fail to register a single shot on target over the course of a game but Chelsea have achieved that.
Despite dominating possession, there is just nothing about this team at all.
Anyone who thinks this will blossom into one of Europe’s finest teams may need to consider drugs counselling.
Credit: PA FT: Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
This has been nothing short of a humbling this evening.
Chelsea failed to have a single shot on target in this game.
Brighton controlled this match after opening the scoring through Mitoma.
FT: Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
The referee brings the game to a close.
It is an emphatic victory for Fabian Hurzeler’s side.
For Chelsea, a definite night to forget.
Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
90+4. The home fans are cheering every touch now.
The ultimate insult for these Chelsea players.
Imagine being a Blues’ fan and having got into it with your girlfriend for leaving her alone tonight so you could come to this game.
Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
90+2. Mitoma has been awarded the man of the match award.
The Japanese winger has been sensational this evening.
That said, so many of the Brighton players have been on form this evening.
Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
90. You would not want to sit by Maresca on that bus home.
If looks could kill, Brighton would be playing against two of three players if it were the case.
We are going to have six added minutes.
Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
88. What a save from Verbruggen for the hosts.
As the ball is crossed in from the right wing, Webster slides in to intercept and sends it towards his own goal.
The keeper turns it around the post with an outstretched leg.
Credit: AP Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
86. This will go down as one of Chelsea’s worst defeats this season.
They have offered nothing whatsoever in the final third.
Granted, they have strikers out injured but for the money they have spent, this is not good enough.
Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
84. Almost a fourth goal for the hosts.
Veltman makes a late run into the box and his shot strikes the post and comes back into play.
Chelsea were appealing for offside but as the replay showed, it would have stood.
Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
82. Palmer is penalised for a foul.
The Chelsea fans are all heading out of the Amex Stadium, planning their trips back to West London.
Even if you are single, this was a terrible way to spend Valentines’ night.
Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
80. Chelsea are just fouling all of the time now.
Whenever Brighton look to hold the ball up, one of Maresca’s players comes flying in with a challenge.
Considering what they are producing, Todd Boelhy’s £1.3bn spend has been for nothing.
Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
78. Brighton will take a lot of confidence from the last week.
These two wins over Chelsea could act as a springboard to the remainder of their season.
Having dropped out of form of late, that is now all forgotten.
Credit: AP Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
76. Pedro is bundled over and wins his side a free-kick.
Chelsea are just looking more and more frustrated.
Another Brighton goal would demoralise the visitors.
Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
74. Gomez and Pedro have come on for the hosts.
They replace Hinshelwood and Rutter.
Jorgensen scuffs a goal kick straight to the striker but his first-time shot sails over the target.
Brighton 3-0 Chelsea
72. Brighton are just picking off Chelsea on the break.
As a move for the visitors breaks down, suddenly The Seagulls are away.
Mitoma has it and gets a sight of goal but his shot is straight at Jorgensen.
To be fair, that seems the only way to get a save out of a Chelsea keeper this season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
