Stamford Bridge witnessed a dramatic twist of fate on Saturday afternoon as Brighton & Hove Albion mounted a late surge to condemn Chelsea to a 3-1 home defeat, intensifying the scrutiny on the Blues’ faltering campaign.
Chelsea appeared in control when Enzo Fernández rose highest to head home in the 24th minute, offering the home side an early advantage and a glimpse of stability. But the turning point came in the 53rd minute when Trevoh Chalobah was dismissed with a straight red card for a reckless challenge, leaving Chelsea exposed against a Brighton side hungry for redemption.
The Seagulls seized their opportunity with veteran forward Danny Welbeck rolling back the years. His towering header in the 77th minute restored parity and swung momentum firmly in Brighton’s favour. As the hosts struggled to withstand waves of pressure, Maxim De Cuyper completed the turnaround with a clinical header in the 90th minute. The coup de grâce arrived deep into stoppage time when Welbeck doubled his tally with a composed finish, silencing the Stamford Bridge crowd.
For Brighton, the victory highlighted resilience and tactical discipline, as Roberto De Zerbi’s men demonstrated their capacity to punish lapses at the highest level. For Chelsea, however, it marked yet another setback in a turbulent season. The Blues’ inability to close out matches — compounded by disciplinary lapses — leaves mounting pressure on both the squad and the hierarchy, who now face renewed questions about the club’s direction and ambition.
Saturday’s collapse not only cost Chelsea three points but also underscored the growing gap between the expectations surrounding the club and its on-pitch reality.
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