Carabao Cup - Chelsea v Albion
A L B I O N R E P O R T - ( vi) a
( featuring the (a) Chelsea (27/9), (b) AFC Bournemoiuth (24/9) and (c) AEK Athens (21/9) games)
27 SEPTEMBER 2023 -
CHELSEA 1 ( Nicolas Jackson ) BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0 -
CARABAO CUP, THIRD ROUND - AT STAMFORD BRIDGE, LONDON SW.
As a change from their Premier League programme, the Albion travelled to West London to meet Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, Third Round at Stamford Bridge, the game being broadcast "live" on BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Roberto De Zerbi the Albion Head Coach made seven changes to his starting line-up from the team which had beaten AFC Bournemouth 3-1 in the Premier at the Amex on the 24 September, with Tariq Lamptey, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Igor Julio, Carlos Baleba, Ansu Fati, Kaoru Mitoma and Joao Pedro coming in for Joel Veltman, Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk, Billy Gilmour, Danny Welbeck, Simon Adringa and Evan Ferguson. Lamptey and Gilmour were former Chelsea players in the Albion ranks.
Under new Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea, who had spent a fortune on new players in the last three transfer windows, had made an indifferent start to the season.
Last time out Chelsea had lost 0-1 at home to Aston Villa in the Premier on the 24 September and for Albion's visit Pochettino made five changes to his starting line-up from the Villa game, with Marc Cucurella, Ben Chilwell, Lesley Ugochukwu, Ian Maatsen and Cole Palmer replacing Malo Gusto (suspended), Thiago Silva, Conor Gallagher, Raheem Sterling and Enzo Fernandez.
There were four former Albion players in the Chelsea starting line-up, namely Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill (loan) and Moises Caicedo.
Both teams had chances early on, with Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen saving from Mykhailo Mudryk and Mahmoud Dahoud going close for the Seagulls. The Albion thereafter took control and following Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez gifting the ball to Joao Pedro, the Brazilian's shot landed on top of the Chelsea net and Sanchez then made a fine save in deflecting Ansu Fati's goal-bound strike.
The visitors had looked the team most likely first-half and should have been ahead at the interval. Half-time 0-0.
De Zerbi brought on Solly March as substitute for Fati at the start of the second-half. With Albion on top Dahoud squandered a great opportunity of putting Albion ahead early on.
The Seagulls were made to pay for their failure to convert the chances they had created when on 50 minutes Cole Palmer nutmegged Jan Paul Van Hecke, the ball found Ian Maatsen who in turn crossed for Nicolas Jackson to slot home from close-range. 0-1.
The goal saw Chelsea raise their game and keeper Verbruggen made an excellent save to deny Jackson a second goal. Keeper Sanchez then produced a fine reflex save to keep out a March header. Chelsea adopted a defensive mode in the closing stages of the game to hang on for victory but Pedro missed a golden opportunity to take the game into penalties but sent his shot over the bar.
Final-score 0-1.
Match stats:
Albion had 13 attempts at goal, with 2 on target and won 8 corners, free-kicks conceded - 16.
Chelsea had 9 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 5 corners, free-kicks conceded - 6.
The Albion failed to score in a competitive match for the first time this season.
VERDICT - Missed chances cost Albion dear on this one. The Seagulls overall were the better team but Chelsea went through to Round 4 where they will have a home tie with Blackburn Rovers of the Sky Bet Championship..
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart Verbruggen; Tariq Lamptey, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Igor Julio, Pervis Estupinan; Mahmoud Dahoud (Jack Hinshelwood 70), Carlos Baleba (Billy Gilmour 64); Facundo Buonanotte (Adam Lallana 78), Ansu Fati (Solly March 46), Kaoru Mitoma (Danny Welbeck 64); Joao Pedro.
Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk, Simon Adringa.
Chelsea line-up (4-2-3-1):- Robert Sanchez; Marc Cucurella, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell; Lesley Ugochukwu, Moises Caicedo; Ian Maatsen (Conor Gallagher 75), Cole Palmer (Enzo Fernandez 75), Mykhailo Mudryk (Raheem Sterling 68); Nicolas Jackson (Armando Broja 87).
Subs not used: Djordje Petrovic (G/K), Deivid Washington, Josh Brooking, Alex Matos, Alfie Gilchrist.
Referee: Thomas Bramall (Sheffield).
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Pervis Estupinan, Carlos Baleba. Chelsea: 1 - Lesley Ugochukwu.
Possession: Albion - 61%. Chelsea - 39%.
Attendance: 37516.