Pochettino involved in melee with former England star as emotions boil over after Chelsea secure huge Brighton win

MAURICIO POCHETTINO was involved in a huge melee with Adam Lallana following Chelsea’s win against Brighton.

The Blues bagged a huge victory at Stamford Bridge, running out 3-2 winners after having Conor Gallagher sent off in the first half.

Brighton thought they were set for a late equaliser when they won a penalty at the death.

But VAR overturned the decision to punish goalscorer Levi Colwill’s handball as the ball had hit him in the face first.

And the dramatic end saw tempers spill over the final whistle, with Joao Pedro shoving fellow Brazilian Thiago Silva.

He then clashed with Enzo Fernandez, who scored two of Chelsea’s goals.

At the same time, Blues boss Pochettino darted onto the field for a word with ref Craig Pawson.

Yet he became involved in heated talks with the likes of Lallana and Pascal Gross as players from both sides clashed.

Benoit Badiashile was pushed as he celebrated with Wesley Fofana.

And ex-Seagulls stopper Robert Sanchez gave it large to the travelling Brighton fans after being booed throughout the game.

FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES

He then had heated words with old pals Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke.

However, it was former Brighton loanee Colwill who attempted to play peacemaker despite also colliding with Van Hecke.

He said: “I don’t know what happened. I was just trying to calm it down

“It’s an emotional game. Everyone gave their hearts out there.”

Pochettino later revealed he had wanted to confront ref Pawson after his incorrect decision to give Brighton a late penalty.

The Argentine fumed: “It was difficult to understand why he gives the penalty and then checks the VAR.

“At the end I tried to ask the referee why he gave penalty if he didn’t see it.

“But it’s not a problem. The VAR saw it. But I don’t know if he didn’t see it, why did he give it?

“Why give the penalty? When there was possible penalty for a foul on Mudryk, he didn’t give it.

“It was emotional out there.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk