Jack Kaye's report on a great win at Stamford Bridge and other Albion News
A L B I O N R E P O R T - ( 25 )
15 APRIL 2023 -
CHELSEA 1 ( Conor Gallagher )
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 ( Danny Welbeck 1)
Julio Enciso 1 -
PREMIER LEAGUE - at STAMFORD BRIDGE, LONDON S.W.
After their trip to North London last weekend, the Albion were back in the capital, this time to West London to meet Chelsea in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge, the game being broadcast over the airwaves on BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
In their last Premier League outing the Seagulls had lost 1-2 at Tottenham Hotspur in controversial circumstances on the 8 April and for their visit to Stamford Bridge Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made three changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Robert Sanchez, Adam Webster and Evan Ferguson coming in for Jason Steele (injured), Levi Colwill (ineligible) and Danny Welbeck.
Chelsea recently parted company with former Albion Head Coach Graham Potter and appointed former Head Coach and player Frank Lampard as Interim Head Coach to the end of this season.
Lampard had lost his first two matches in charge, 0-1 at Wolves and 0-2 at Real Madrid. In their last Premier League game, Chelsea had lost 0-1 at Wolves on the 8 April and for Albion's visit Lampard made six changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Trevor Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Ben Chilwell, Denis Zakaria, Christian Pulisic and Mykhailo Mudryk replacing Reece James, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella, Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz and Joao Felix.
Previously this season Albion beat Chelsea 4-1 at the Amex on the 29 October 2022, with their goals coming from Leandro Trossard (5m), Ruben Loftus-Cheek, own goal(14m), Trevor Chalobah, own goal (42m) and Pascal Gross (90+2m) and Kai Havertz (48m) netting Chelsea's consolation.
It was Roberto De Zerbi's first win as Albion's Head Coach and a grim homecoming for Graham Potter. In their meetings last season, it was 1-1 at Stamford Bridge on the 29 December 2021, with Romelu Lukaka (28m) netting for Chelsea and Danny Welbeck (90+1m) getting a late equaliser for the Seagulls. At the Amex on the 18 January 2022 it was again 1-1, with Hakim Ziyech (28m) opening the scoring for Chelsea and Adam Webster (60m) levelling for the Albion.
Looking for their first-ever victory at Chelsea, the Albiion made a bright start at the Bridge as Evan Ferguson's deft flick from Kaoru Mitoma's cross just missed the target. Further efforts by the Seagulls then went close as Alexis Mac Allister's shot from Mitoma's cross flew past the post and then Ferguson was unlucky to see his shot from the edge of the area crash back off Kepa Arrizabalaga's crossbar.
Incredibly, against the run of play, the home side took the lead on 13 minutes as a speculative shot by Conor Gallagher took a deflection off Lewis Dunk before endingup in the Albiion net. 0-1.
The Seagulls were impressing with their slick play and a number of chances came and went, the main sufferers being Mitoma, Mac Allister and Julio Enciso who had substituted for the injured Joel Veltman on 28 minutes.
The Albion then lost the services of the injured Ferguson on 39 minutes, Danny Welbeck substituting . More than deservedly, the Seagulls equalised on 42 minutes when Pascal Gross's precise cross was headed home by substitute Welbeck within three minutes of his joining the action. 1-1. There was still time, before the break, for Mac Allister to have an effort deflected wide of the target.
A travesty of a half-time score-line as Albion should have been home and dry.
Half-time 1-1.
The second-half started with the Seagulls on the front foot as Chelsea keeper Arrizabalaga made fine saves to deny Enciso and Welbeck. On the hour the Albion were denied by the woodwork again as Enciso was unfortunate to see his shot come back into play off the post. Chelsea suddenly woke up and Albion keeper Robert Sanchez had to be alert to keep out shots from Mykhailo Mudryk and Reece James.
On 69 minutes, a moment of sheer brilliance by 19 year-old Enciso saw the Paraguayan collect the ball some 35 yards out, take two steps before unleashing a tremendous right-footed shot into the top of the Chelsea net, with keeper Arrizabalaga a helpless onlooker.
A brilliant goal and the Albion players and supporters were jubilant with joy. 2-1.
The home side tried for an equaliser but all they had to show for their efforts was a shot by Mudryk which cleared the crossbar.
Final-score 2-1.
Albion had 26 shots at goal, with 10 on target and won 8 corners, free-kicks conceded - 11.
Chelsea had 8 shots at goal, with 2 on target and won 2 corners, free-kicks conceded - 11.
TO SUM UP - A superb victory for the Albion and their first-ever win at Stamford Bridge. The winning goal by Julio Enciso was excellent and should be a candidate for goal of the month and goal of the season. The Albion look to have uncovered another nugget in the 19 year-old from Paraguay.
The Seagulls and their supporters can now look forward to their trip to Wembley Stadium for a FA Cup Semi-Final against Manchester United on the 23 April, covered "live" by BBC1.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Robert Sanchez; Joel Veltman (Julio Enciso 28), Adam Webster (Jan Paul Van Hecke 86), Lewis Dunk (Capt), Pervis Estupinan; Pascal Gross, Moises Caicedo; Solly March, Alexis Mac Allister, Kaoru Mitoma; Evan Ferguson (Danny Welbeck 39).
Subs not used: Thomas McGill (G/K), Billy Gilmour, Facundo Buonanotte, Deniz Undav, Odeluga Offiah, Andrew Moran.
Chelsea line-up (4-2-3-1):- Kepa Arrizabalaga; Trevor Chalobah, Wesley Fofana (Reece James 57), Benoit Badiashile, Ben Chilwell; Denis Zakaria (Mason Mount 74), Enzo Fernandez (Mateo Kovacic 57); Christian Pulisic (Hakim Ziyech 56), Conor Gallagher, Mykhailo Mudryk; Raheem Sterling (Joao Felix 57).
Subs not used: Edouard Mendy (G/K), Cesar Azpilicueta. Marc Cucurella, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Referee: Robert Jones (Merseyside). Assistant Referees: Ian Hussin, Wade Smith. Fourth Official: Geoff Eltringham. VAR Official: Chris Kavanagh. Assistant VAR Official: Dan Cook.
Yellow Cards:
Albion: 2 - Robert Sanchez, Joel Veltman.
Chelsea: 2 -Trevor Chalobah, Conor Gallagher.
Possession: Albion - 58%. Chelsea - 42%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Lewis Dunk (Albion).
Attendance: 40126.
CONTRACT & ALBION WOMEN'S NEWS:
7 APRIL 2023 - It was announced by the Albion that MELISSA PHILLIPS - (35) - had been appointed Head Coach of the Albion Women's Football Team in the place of Jens Scheuer, on a two-and-a-half year contract - effective until June 2025. Melissa was formerly Head Coach of London City Lionesses and a number of American clubs.
12 APRIL 2023 - The Albion announced that Women's Coach AMY MERRICKS - after eight years with the club, including twice acting as Interim Head Coach this season, had left the club to become Head Coach of the England Women's Under-19 Football Team from the start of the 2023/2024 season.
19 APRIL 2023 - PASCAL GROSS - It was announced by the Albion that Pascal Gross - (31) - midfielder - had signed a new two-and-a-half year contract with the club - effective until June 2025.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES:
23 APRIL 2023 - MANCHESTER UNITED - at Wembley Stadium - The Emirates FA Cup - Semi-Final - kick-off 16.30. "Live" on BBC1.
26 APRIL 2023 - NOTTINGHAM FOREST - away - Premier League - kick-off 19.30. "Live" on BT Sport