Chelsea’s hopes of securing a Champions League spot took a major hit as they suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat to Brighton.
The loss, which marked their second against the Seagulls in just a week, highlighted their struggles both in attack and defense.
Enzo Maresca’s side looked uninspired throughout the game, failing to register a single shot on target while being exposed at the back.
Brighton took control early, punishing Chelsea’s sluggish start with a well-executed goal in the 27th minute.
Kaoru Mitoma displayed brilliant control, bringing down a long pass from goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen before cutting inside and finishing past Filip Jorgensen.
The hosts doubled their lead just before halftime when Georginio Rutter’s cross deflected into Danny Welbeck’s path, setting up Yankuba Minteh for a clinical finish.
Despite trailing, Chelsea failed to mount a response, allowing Brighton to extend their advantage in the second half.
Welbeck turned provider once again in the 63rd minute, threading a precise pass to Minteh, who calmly slotted in his second goal of the match.
The Seagulls could have further extended their lead, with Joel Veltman hitting the post and both Carlos Baleba and Joao Pedro missing clear-cut chances.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s attack remained ineffective, leaving fans frustrated by their lack of urgency and precision in the final third.
The defeat leaves Chelsea in a precarious position, as their inconsistent form continues to impact their push for a top-four finish.
Once seen as potential title contenders, they now face an uphill battle to regain momentum.
