Chelsea's dismal run has now added up to the club's worst run since 1912, according to multiple reports. The Blues have lost their fifth consecutive match in the Premier League and have four consecutive losses in all competitions. This is the worst record since 1993 according to Sky Sports, which also noted Chelsea has played five matches in a row without scoring a goal or earning points, something that hasn't happened in 114 years. The losses include two against PSG in the Champions League, one against Newcastle in the league, and a new Premier League loss against Everton on Saturday night.
Brighton scored early, with Ferdi Karioglu stabbing past Robert Sánchez to score in the seventh minute. Goals by Ferdi Karioglu and Jack Hinshelwood did the damage to Chelsea, and Danny Welbeck scored the third. Chelsea's midfield trio of Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, and Roméo Lavia had a combined transfer value over £270m but provided little defensive cover. Enzo Fernandez was wearing the captain's armband two weeks after being dropped from the first team, highlighting the team's ongoing instability.
Chelsea used a 3-5-2 formation with Malo Gusto and Jorrel Hato as wing-backs, and Fernández, Caicedo, and Lavia in midfield. The absence of Cole Palmer was a surprise, with leaked team news possibly from Marc Cucurella's barber, though the exact source and veracity of this leak remains unclear. For the home team, Yasin Ayari started on the bench and came on in the 83rd minute, but Brighton's tactical setup proved far more effective on the night.
Chelsea looked like a team that had never played together before and lacked intensity, being outplayed by Brighton.
Brighton's success under manager Fabian Hürzeler was evident, as he has revived his team and has still never been defeated by an opposing English manager, according to multiple reports. With the result, Brighton overtook Chelsea in the table, and their return to European football under Roberto De Zerbi is fully on the cards, according to major media outlets. How Hürzeler has specifically revived the team to achieve this success against Chelsea remains an open question, but his undefeated record speaks to his tactical acumen.
Fan reactions were stark, as former Brighton players Cucurella, Caicedo, and Sánchez were loudly jeered by home fans. The majority of away fans left the stadium with about a quarter of the match remaining, and according to Fotbollskanalen, BBC described not many Chelsea fans were left, with many blue seats visible in the away section. This exodus underscored the growing disillusionment among supporters.
Chelsea have beaten only Port Vale in eight matches and not scored in the other seven, according to multiple reports. They had passed 400 minutes without a Premier League goal, exacerbating concerns about their attacking impotence. According to Fotbollskanalen, Chris Sutton described Chelsea as looking like a team that had never played together before and lacking intensity, being outplayed by Brighton. Whether this poor performance is primarily due to tactical issues, player form, or broader club management problems is a key unknown plaguing the club.
Not many Chelsea fans were left, with many blue seats visible in the away section.
Leadership scrutiny intensified during the match, as cameras cut to Behdad Eghbali and Chelsea leadership, with speculation they were deciding on Rosenior's future, according to multiple reports. Rosenior's appointment was suspected to be based on him being someone the hierarchy could control, though he previously enjoyed respect as a promising young coach adept at tactical elements. What specific actions Chelsea's leadership is considering regarding Rosenior's future is uncertain, but the pressure is mounting.
Chelsea is now seventh in the table and has seven points up to Liverpool, who hold the last Champions League spot, according to reports. This gap highlights the growing distance from top-tier competition, raising questions about the club's ambitions this season. The immediate impact of the international break on Chelsea's ability to address their current crisis is another unknown, as it could provide a reset or further disrupt momentum.
Chelsea's next match is against Port Vale in the FA Cup on April 4th, followed by Manchester City at home in the league, according to reports. These fixtures present a critical juncture for Rosenior's tenure and the team's season, as failure could precipitate further changes. The club's historic slump has set a bleak backdrop for these upcoming challenges, with fans and pundits alike watching closely for signs of revival or continued decline.