FRANK LAMPARD’S Chelsea homecoming did not go to plan as the Blues were battered by Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
Caretaker boss Lampard returned to the home dugout more than two years after he was first sacked as Blues manager – but remained winless after three games as the Seagulls dominated.
The score may have only ended 2-1 but that did not tell the full story as Brighton hammered away at the Chelsea goal, drawing a string of saves from Blues skipper Kepa Arrizabalaga and twice hitting the woodwork.
Conor Gallagher had opened the scoring – with a heavily deflected goal of which Lampard would have been proud – following good work from Mykhailo Mudryk, who had a bright start.
But the goal was against the run of play and Brighton were soon on top.
They may have only equalised just before the break – substitute Danny Welbeck heading home at the back post – but the goal was more than deserved.
If Chelsea fans thought the second half would bring improved effort and energy they were sadly mistaken, with Lampard taking only ten minutes before hooking off Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, Wesley Fofana and Enzo Fernandez with a quadruple substitution.
Similarly, the substitutes had little effect in improving the Blues, with Brighton remaining well on top.
In fact, it was one of Brighton’s substitutes who turned out to be the matchwinner, Julio Enciso picking the ball up a full 30 yards from goal and firing a rocket straight into the top corner.
Chelsea pushed for an equaliser late on but struggled to create anything clear-cut as Lampard – who had two huge banners unfurled in his honour ahead of the game – lost his third successive game since taking charge.
Most read in Football
Here’s how Tom Sheen rated the players at Stamford Bridge…
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7/10
Chelsea captain for the day and by far the Blues’ best performer – which should tell its own story.
Made a number of crucial saves including a world class tip over the bar from an Evan Ferguson header in the first half.
Not always the most confident on the ball, putting the team under a bit of pressure. Nothing he could do about either goal, though.
Trevoh Chalobah – 3
Given an absolutely torrid time all afternoon by Kaoru Mitoma, who looked like he was going to create a chance at goal every time he touched the ball.
Don’t let the score fool you though, Chalobah’s score is only this high as he made one incredible inch-perfect tackle when Mitoma looked certain to score. Didn’t cover himself in glory for Welbeck’s goal, either, before moving into the centre where he was marginally better.
Wesley Fofana – 3
Run ragged by the Brighton forwards and was hooked off just ten minutes into the second half as Lampard made a quadruple substituion.
Made a couple of eye-catching bursts forward but also totally lost Welbeck for the equaliser and struggled without the experienced Thiago Silva next to him.
Benoit Badiashile – 4
It was his poor clearance that saw Brighton score their equalising goal, with his scuffed hack summing up his day.
Continued to overplay at the back despite the success of the visitors’ high press and struggled all afternoon.
Ben Chilwell – 4
An uncharacteristically passive performance from Chilwell, he failed to get up and down the left as he usually does.
His delivery was still impressive on the couple of occasions he did roam forward – one seeing a Christian Pulisic header hit the post – but it didn’t happen often enough.
Conor Gallagher – 6
Industrious as ever and scored the kind of deflected goal that Frank Lampard would have been proud of – they all count, after all.
However, playing in the No 10 he lacks the required quality on the ball and was the subject of Chelsea fan frustration after wasting a couple of good openings. One of the few who looks like he cares, however.
Enzo Fernandez – 4
One of his worst performances in a Chelsea shirt since joining, although he was perhaps fatigued from his efforts in Madrid where he was impressive.
Hooked off as part of a quadruple substitution just 55 minutes in.
Denis Zakaria – 1
Is it fair to give a player a rating if you forgot they were actually playing until you read their name on a teamsheet?
Was selected to add some steel and grit to the Chelsea midfield but was utterly anonymous and off the pace – he barely completed a pass and was totally outworked and outclassed by Moises Caicedo before being subbed off.
Christian Pulisic – 2
Pulisic was one of the stars of the first Lampard era but wasn’t anywhere near good enough today.
Bar one header that hit the post – which he did really well to connect with – Pulisic was poor, losing the ball on numerous occasions.
Raheem Sterling – 2
His name was cheered by Chelsea fans when it was announced he was about to be substituted off.
Anonymous performance from Sterling, although his team-mates did Sterling no favours in getting him the ball.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 6
Started like an absolute house on fire with three sensational runs that showed his lightning pace and exceptional dribbling skills.
The third of those brought Gallagher’s goal, with a neat little pass, but he struggled thereafter. Brighter from the Ukranian but much more is needed and expected.
SUBS
Reece James (for Fofana, 56) – 5
Still does not look close to his world-beating best and soon after being introduced he was out-fought by Enciso, who then hit the post.
As ever, put in a couple of hugely dangerous crosses only to find no Chelsea player within five yards of where they need to be.
Mateo Kovacic (for Fernandez, 56) – 4
Did little to stem the tide of Brighton’s midfield dominance, although he was at least trying his best to get on the ball and dictate.
Hakim Ziyech (for Pulisic, 56) – 3
Did very little to affect the game after coming on despite having more than 30 minutes to do so.
Joao Felix (for Sterling, 56) – 2
His role in the Brighton goal summed up another hugely frustrating performance.
Stood there when the ball looked his to win, allowing Brighton to regain possession and Enciso to fire in the winner. Must do more.
Mason Mount (for Zakaria, 73) – 5
Injected some enthusiasm and effort into the midfield after coming on and a neat one-two with Gallagher nearly brought an equaliser.
Read More on The Sun
Still well off his best, but Lampard must get him more involved in upcoming games.
Subs not used: Edouard Mendy, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marc Cucurella, , Mason Mount, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
