15 MAY 2024
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION CHELSEA 2
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
For their penultimate game of the Premier League season, the Albion welcomed improving Chelsea to the Amex, the match being broadcast by Talksport2 and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
After their well-earned 1-1 draw at Newcastle United on the 11 May, Albion Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made two changes to his starting line-up from the Newcastle game, with Tariq Lamptey and Joao Pedro coming in for Joel Veltman (injured) and Danny Welbeck.
In their last outing Chelsea won 3-2 at Nottingham Forest on the 11 May and for their visit to the Amex Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino made one change to his starting line-up from the Forest game, with Malo Gusto replacing Thiago Silva. Former Albion players, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo were in the Chelsea starting eleven and on their bench was Levi Colwill, who spent last season on loan with the Seagulls.
Earlier this season, in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge on the 3 December 2023, Chelsea ran out 3-2 winners, with their goals coming from Enzo Fernandez 2 (17m & 65m, penalty) and Levi Colwill (21m). Albion's goals came from Facundo Buonanotte (43m) and Joao Pedro (90+2m).
Last season Albion did the double over Chelsea, winning 4-1 at the Amex on the 29 October 2022, with their goals coming from Leandro Trossard (5m), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (14m, own goal), Trevor Chalobah (42m, own goal) and Pascal Gross (90+2). Chelsea's consolation came from Kai Havertz 48m).
In the return fixture at Stamford Bridge on the 15 April 2023 the Seagulls won 2-1; with their goals being scored by Danny Welbeck (42m) and Julio Enciso (69m), after Conor Gallagher (13m) had given Chelsea an early lead.
Chelsea started the game well and early on Noni Madueke cut in from the right before unleashing a low left-footed shot which Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen parried away from danger. Simon Adingra then shot wide of the target after being set-up by former Chelsea Tariq Lamptey whilst at the other end Cole Palmer's shot from distance was easily saved by keeper Verbruggen.
Chelsea were awarded a penalty when Facundo Buonanotte was adjudged to have brought down former Albion player Marc Cucurella in the box but VAR intervened and after looking at the incident on the pitchside monitor Referee Michael Salisbury changed his decision and disallowed the penalty. Albion's Julio Enciso headed over the bar from a good position before Verbruggen made a fine save in tipping Malo Gusto's 25 yarder over the bar.
It was no surprise when Chelsea took the lead on 34 minutes when Palmer's looped header eluded Verbruggen and ended up in the top corner of the net. 0-1.
The visitor's thought they had scored a second in time added on but Nicolas Jackson's headed goal was disallowed for offside. The final action of the half saw Joao Pedro's header rattle the Chelsea crossbar from Lamptey's cross.
Half-time 0-1.
Albion Captain Lewis Dunk, who suffered a first-half injury did not appear for the second-half, Valentin Barco substituting. The Seagulls had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Gusto appeared to bring down Adingra in the box. Substitute Christopher Nkunku shot narrowly wide for the visitors and Gusto was next to shoot wide of the far post. Lamptey's cross was knocked wide by Pascal Gross when he should have done better but on 64 minutes Chelsea increased their lead when Gusto's cut-back was rifled home by Nkunku. 0-2.
In the last minutes of normal time Chelsea substitute Reece James received a straight red card for kicking Pedro, following a VAR review. The drama wasnt over, as in time added on Adingra struck the post with his shot and in the 7th minute of time added on substitute Danny Welbeck stabbed home Pedro's cross from the left. 1-2. The Referee's whistle brought the game to an end with the Seagulls pressing for an equaliser.
Final-score 1-2.
Match stats:
Albion had 12 attempts at goal, with 2 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 13.
Chelsea had 14 attempts at goal, with 6 on target and won 6 corners, free-kicks conceded - 14.
TO SUM UP - Albion's brief mini-revival came to an end at the hands of their visitors from West London. The Seagulls continued inability to convert the chances they create continued to haunt them. Until he left the field on 85 minutes Tariq Lamptey impressed with his sorties down the right-wing and the dangerous crosses he provided.
Last game of the season against Manchester United coming up
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart Verbruggen; Tariq Lamptey (Odeluga Offiah 85), Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk (Capt) (Valentin Barco 46), Igor Julio; Pascal Gross, Billy Gilmour (Carlos Baleba 70); Facundo Buonanotte (Danny Welbeck 70), Julio Enciso (Ansu Fati 85), Simon Adingra; Joao Pedro.
Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Adam Lallana, Jakub Moder, Noel Atom.
Chelsea line-up (4-2-3-1):- Djordje Petrovic; Malo Gusto (Reece James 69), Trevor Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella; Conor Gallagher (Capt) (Chimuanya Ugochukwu 90+8), Moises Caicedo; Noni Madueke (Raheem Sterling 69), Cole Palmer (Cesare Casadei 90+8), Mykhailo Mudryk (Christopher Nkunku 42); Nicolas Jackson (Thiago Silva 90).
Subs not used: Marcus Bettinelli (G/K), Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell.
Referee: Michael Salisbury (Preston).
Red Card: Reece James (Chelsea).
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Bart Verbruggen, Lewis Dunk. Chelsea: 2 - Moises Caicedo, Raheem Sterling.
Possession: Albion - 55%. Chelsea - 45%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Cole Palmer (Chelsea).
Attendance: 31555.
FINAL GAME:
19 MAY 2024 - MANCHESTER UNITED - home - Premier League - kick-off 16.00.
Jack Kaye.
19 May 2024.